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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,702 per month in Laurel, MD vs $3,460 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,228 per month in Laurel, MD vs $5,199 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,753 per month in Laurel, MD vs $6,938 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

Laurel, MD is about 22% cheaper than Fontana, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Laurel, MD and Fontana, CA sit above the global median – Laurel, MD by 102%, Fontana, CA by 158%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.04 $12.04

$17.84 $17.84

-32.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.06 $49.06

$80.8 $80.8

-39.30%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.97 $9.97

$12.18 $12.18

-18.14%

Cappuccino

$4.93 $4.93

$5.11 $5.11

-3.52%

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

$1.97 $1.97

$2.82 $2.82

-30.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.28 $2.28

-10.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.38 $6.38

$7.05 $7.05

-9.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.61 $7.61

$6.90 $6.90

10.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$1.17 $1.17

-12.82%

White Bread (500g)

$3.52 $3.52

$4.00 $4.00

-12.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.94 $6.94

$4.72 $4.72

47.03%

Eggs

$3.94 $3.94

$4.95 $4.95

-20.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.40 $19.40

$11.98 $11.98

61.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$20.35 $20.35

$16.31 $16.31

24.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.44 $13.44

$15.66 $15.66

-14.18%

Apples (1kg)

$6.05 $6.05

$4.42 $4.42

36.88%

Banana (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.94 $1.94

48.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$7.85 $7.85

$4.50 $4.50

74.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$10.97 $10.97

$5.61 $5.61

95.54%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$4.44 $4.44

-34.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 $2.18

$3.19 $3.19

-31.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.44 $1.44

97.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.08 $3.08

$2.18 $2.18

41.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.87 $7.87

$11.05 $11.05

-28.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.89 $17.89

$15.99 $15.99

11.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.01 $2.01

-11.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 $3.67

$3.55 $3.55

3.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.06 $2.06

-1.94%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.63 $45.63

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.43 $4.43

$6.65 $6.65

-33.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$4.39 $4.39

-64.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.59 $29.59

$29.76 $29.76

-0.57%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.23 $1.23

-32.52%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$23.7K $23.7K

11.45%

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

$24.6K $24.6K

$24.5K $24.5K

0.51%

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

$166 $166

$264 $264

-37.22%

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

$53.8 $53.8

$53.0 $53.0

1.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.9 $67.9

$60.2 $60.2

12.78%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.31 $42.31

$42.56 $42.56

-0.59%

Cinema Ticket

$13.01 $13.01

$14.21 $14.21

-8.44%

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

$1,822 $1,822

$1,193 $1,193

52.66%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.5K $23.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

1.37%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.75 $38.75

$46.63 $46.63

-16.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.40 $29.40

$34.11 $34.11

-13.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.1 $91.1

$89.4 $89.4

1.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 $121

$89.4 $89.4

35.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,550 $1,550

$1,961 $1,961

-20.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,361 $1,361

$2,101 $2,101

-35.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,615 $2,615

$3,203 $3,203

-18.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,951 $2,951

$3,768 $3,768

-21.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,212 $2,212

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,504 $2,504

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,516 $5,516

$5,129 $5,129

7.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.58

-0.46%

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

Last update for Laurel, MD: April 21, 2026

Last update for Fontana, CA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,550 in Laurel, MD versus $1,961 in Fontana, CA. 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 $49 in Laurel, MD versus $81 in Fontana, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $537 in Laurel, MD vs $435 in Fontana, CA – 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

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

Fontana, CA costs about 28% 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 $4,053 per month in Laurel, MD and $5,191 in Fontana, CA. 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 $49.00 in Laurel, MD and $81.0 in Fontana, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 23% 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 $2,702 in Laurel, MD and $3,460 in Fontana, CA. 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.