Firstly why Fontana, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Fontana
• State: California
• Population: 214,547 people
• Fontana’s quick summary would be Known for the Auto Club Speedway and its strong manufacturing presence.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 30,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 25,000 annually
• Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 6,000
• Number of Homeless people: 1,200

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a diverse economy and affordable living appealing to various residents

Perk #1: Fontana Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 34%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 54%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $62,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Fontana is $64,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $2000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Fontana’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 120 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,764
• Property Tax %: 1.24%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,450
• Rent for an average house: $2,200
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Sierra Lakes
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Fontana, Rialto, Bloomington, Montclair, and probably could include San-Bernardino
• Avg. Age of Homes in Fontana: 36 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Fontana’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Fontana are  Manufacturing, Retail, and Logistics
• Fontana Job Scene: diverse job market with focus on logistics and manufacturing
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech community in logistics, manufacturing, and e-commerce
• Fontana Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Fontana: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 140 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 13

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Fontana

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $130 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-10 and I-215 provide crucial access through Fontana
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening bottlenecks on Sierra Avenue
• Transportation Score: 50 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Fontana: 120,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 8 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Fontana: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 63 of 100
• Local Airport: Ontario International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Fontana’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Fontana is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures above 100°F and mild winters with occasional rain
• Winter Weather in Fontana i’d describe as mild with sunny days
• Spring Weather in Fontana can be described as warm and dry
• Summer’s in Fontana are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Fontana is usually warm and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 24 days in summer
• Days in a row in Fontana below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 17 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality impacted by nearby industry
• Fontana Winter Air poor air quality often impacted by industrial emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Fontana Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Fontana 5
• While the number of trade schools inside Fontanas’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Fontana Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Fontana Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Fontana only Doctors is about 125
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Fontana only Police Officers is about 200
• Crime Rate Index: 50/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Fontana’s Monthly utility bill average is $150
• Fontana’s Monthly Gym Membership: $50
• Fontana’s Water Quality Score: 68

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Fontana

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 8 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: vibrant suburban city with parks and family events
• You might enjoy live music at the Fontana Event Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Fontana  has a casual nightlife scene with local clubs and dining options making it easy to gather with friends

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Fontana

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features chain restaurants and local dining options
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 50 scattered around Fontana
• The Popular Sports Team is Fontana High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Fontana can be described as diverse city with a growing progressive influence
• Fontana’s Longer standing religious establishment is Emmanuel Faith Community Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Fontana Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Fontana has 40 Parks?
• Fontana Park is Fontana’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Fontana Farmers Market normally open Thursday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Extreme sports, hiking, and cycling

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Fontana Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Fontana can be described as diverse city life with strong industrial presence
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Fontana exploring parks local sports events community gardening
• The Cities people commute to from Fontana are San-Bernardino 11 miles away Ontario 10 miles away Rialto 11 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Fontana or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening bottlenecks on Sierra Avenue. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Fontana’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Sierra Lakes is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Fontana are San-Bernardino 11 miles away Ontario 10 miles away Rialto 11 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Fontana has 0 days in a row below freezing and 24 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Fontana people have an average (positive or negative) $2000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   1,200 homeless people living in Fontana. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse city with a growing progressive influence could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Fontana.

Retiree & Senior Life in Fontana

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access tax credits providing relief on property taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is La Fuente
• Fontana Senior Center hosts various social programs and health workshops for older residents

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Fontana, California?

If Fontana, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Fontana, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!