Cost of Living Comparison Between Fontana, CA and Laurel, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Fontana, CA and Laurel, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,485 per month in Fontana, CA vs $2,656 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,219 per month in Fontana, CA vs $4,156 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,953 per month in Fontana, CA vs $5,655 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

Fontana, CA costs about 31% more than Laurel, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Fontana, CA and Laurel, MD sit above the global median – Fontana, CA by 162%, Laurel, MD by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.98 $17.98

$12.20 $12.20

47.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.5 $79.5

$50.8 $50.8

56.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.83 $11.83

$9.98 $9.98

18.54%

Cappuccino

$5.14 $5.14

$4.95 $4.95

3.84%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.01 $2.01

44.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.01 $2.01

12.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$6.40 $6.40

12.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.19 $7.19

$7.96 $7.96

-9.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.98 $0.98

19.39%

White Bread (500g)

$4.15 $4.15

$3.63 $3.63

14.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$6.95 $6.95

-34.10%

Eggs

$4.94 $4.94

$4.01 $4.01

23.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.99 $11.99

$19.01 $19.01

-36.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.36 $16.36

$20.60 $20.60

-20.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.14 $15.14

$13.45 $13.45

12.57%

Apples (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$6.32 $6.32

-28.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.84 $2.84

-30.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.48 $4.48

$7.96 $7.96

-43.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.65 $5.65

$10.94 $10.94

-48.35%

Potato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$2.89 $2.89

53.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.23 $2.23

43.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 $1.40

$2.78 $2.78

-49.64%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.94 $2.94

-28.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.20 $11.20

$7.76 $7.76

44.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.23 $16.23

$18.13 $18.13

-10.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.75 $1.75

12.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 $3.41

$3.81 $3.81

-10.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.98 $1.98

0.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.60 $45.60

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.66 $6.66

$4.43 $4.43

50.34%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.25 $4.25

$1.65 $1.65

157.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.08 $29.08

$29.72 $29.72

-2.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$0.87 $0.87

41.38%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.8K $23.8K

$26.9K $26.9K

-11.48%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.0K $24.0K

$24.6K $24.6K

-2.52%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$265 $265

$162 $162

63.46%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$54.7 $54.7

$52.0 $52.0

5.35%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.4 $60.4

$67.5 $67.5

-10.58%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.70 $43.70

$42.59 $42.59

2.61%

Cinema Ticket

$13.93 $13.93

$13.13 $13.13

6.09%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,229 $1,229

$1,817 $1,817

-32.33%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$23.9K $23.9K

-0.76%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.59 $47.59

$38.15 $38.15

24.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.16 $34.16

$29.91 $29.91

14.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.7 $88.7

$89.6 $89.6

-1.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.7 $90.7

$120 $120

-24.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,008 $2,008

$1,556 $1,556

29.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,114 $2,114

$1,398 $1,398

51.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,260 $3,260

$2,559 $2,559

27.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,818 $3,818

$2,931 $2,931

30.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,238 $2,238

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,601 $2,601

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,075 $5,075

$5,467 $5,467

-7.18%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.55

0.46%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Fontana, CA: July 28, 2026

Last update for Laurel, MD: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,008 in Fontana, CA versus $1,556 in Laurel, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 8% higher in Laurel, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Fontana, CA versus $51.0 in Laurel, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $435 in Fontana, CA vs $538 in Laurel, MD – so Fontana, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Fontana, CA vs Laurel, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana, CA costs about 31% more than Laurel, MD, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,228 per month in Fontana, CA and $3,985 in Laurel, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Laurel, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Fontana, CA and $51.0 in Laurel, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 24% cheaper in Fontana, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,485 in Fontana, CA and $2,656 in Laurel, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Laurel, MD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Laurel, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fontana, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.