CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Fontana — 21.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $62,900 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−66.9%
Fontana
129.3
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries−7.6%
Fontana
101.4
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−5.5%
Fontana
106.3
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−5.5%
Fontana
96.2
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−51.4%
Fontana
148.6
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$62,900
$17,100 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.7857. 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×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Fontana has 66.9% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Fontana vs other cities

Fontana, CA
vs
Anaheim, CA
Index: 106.4Index: 113.6
Fontana, CA
vs
Bakersfield, CA
Index: 106.4Index: 100.9
Fontana, CA
vs
Chico, CA
Index: 106.4Index: 101.2
Fontana, CA
vs
Des Moines, IA
Index: 106.4Index: 91.7
Fontana, CA
vs
Huntsville, AL
Index: 106.4Index: 93.1

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

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.