CostIndexUSA

Fontana, CA vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fontana
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is moderately cheaper than Fontana — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fontana, you would need $69,200 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.8%
Fontana
129.3
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries4.7%
Fontana
101.4
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Fontana
106.3
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Fontana
96.2
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities40.5%
Fontana
148.6
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$69,200
$10,800 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.8647. 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×

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5×

Fontana has 44.8% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

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

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Household Income
$64,400
Per Capita Income
$36,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
247,945
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

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)

Winston-Salem, NC
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.