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City Report · CA

Fontana

Pop. 214,169·126th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,142/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.5%
Month-over-Month
+3.3%
vs US Median
+$1,180
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fontana · $3,142
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Fontana's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,142/mo
Expected by trend
$3,234/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fontana's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,043
1 BR
$2,137
2 BR
$2,657
3 BR
$3,547
4 BR+
$4,313
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,657/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,142 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$37,704/yr
At $3,142/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 2.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fontana, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
214,169
Median income
$102,821
Median age
33.8
Renters
33.2%
Age distribution
27.3%
24.4%
28.3%
Under 1827.3%
18–3424.4%
35–5428.3%
55–6410.3%
65+9.7%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
19.8%
67.6%
White19.8%
Black7.8%
Hispanic67.6%
Asian8.5%
Education (25+)
20%
30.3%
28.3%
21.4%
No HS diploma20%
HS diploma30.3%
Some college28.3%
Bachelor's+21.4%
Housing tenure
66.8%
33.2%
Owner66.8%
Renter33.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Fontana, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,682 → $3,142
up 17.2%
Income
$83,468 → $102,821
up 23.2%
Population
208,087 → 214,169
up 2.9%
Renter share
33.8% → 33.2%
-0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
19.5% → 21.4%
+1.9 pts
Median age
32 → 33.8
+1.8 yrs

Rent in Fontana, CA has climbed 17.2% since 2022, going from about $2,682 per month to roughly $3,142 today. Census figures show median household income at $102,821 today, compared with $83,468 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 6.0 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 208,087 to 214,169 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Fontana

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View Fontana rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fontana on your salary?

At $3,142/mo, how Fontana rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fontana rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Fontana. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fontana

About renting in Fontana, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fontana is $3,142/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,043/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,657/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,137/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,547/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($102,821/yr), Fontana ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fontana an affordable city for renters?

Fontana is considered moderate for renters. At $3,142/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($102,821/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fontana slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Fontana?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $126,000/year (~$61/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,142/mo in Fontana. The local median household income is $102,821/yr, meaning the typical Fontana household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fontana?

Rent in Fontana has increased 2.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fontana neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fontana are 92335 ($2,665/mo), 92337 ($3,233/mo), and 92336 ($3,418/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fontana is $3,142/mo.

How does Fontana rent compare to other cities in California?

Fontana is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #126 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,142/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fontana?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fontana ($3,142/mo): San Bernardino ($2,013/mo), Jurupa Valley ($2,585/mo), Ontario ($2,605/mo).

What percentage of Fontana residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.2% of Fontana households are renters, while 66.8% are owner-occupied. Fontana leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fontana rent compare to the national average?

Fontana's median rent of $3,142/mo is $1,180 (60%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #126 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $3,142/mo, rent takes ~37% of Fontana's median household income ($102,821/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fontana 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Fontana affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fontana, CA

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