CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Mobile, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Mobile is significantly cheaper than Fontana — 17.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $66,200 in Mobile. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing53.5%
Fontana
129.3
Mobile
60.1
🛒 Groceries4.9%
Fontana
101.4
Mobile
96.4
🚗 Transportation4.5%
Fontana
106.3
Mobile
101.5
🏥 Healthcare4.5%
Fontana
96.2
Mobile
91.9
Utilities43.3%
Fontana
148.6
Mobile
84.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fontana to see what you'd need to earn in Mobile to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mobile, AL
$66,200
$13,800 less needed in Mobile

Formula: salary × (88.1 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.8280. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fontana, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Fontana has 53.5% lower housing costs compared to Mobile.

Income & Job Market

Fontana, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
214,547
Top Industries
ManufacturingLogisticsHealthcareRetailConstruction

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fontana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Mobile, AL
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.