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 $2,705 per month in Laurel, MD vs $3,282 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,274 per month in Laurel, MD vs $4,727 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,843 per month in Laurel, MD vs $6,171 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

Laurel, MD is about 18% cheaper than Fontana, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Laurel, MD and Fontana, CA sit above the global median – Laurel, MD by 98%, Fontana, CA by 140%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.53 $22.53

$10.16 $10.16

121.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.5 $75.5

$45.75 $45.75

65.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.20 $11.20

$9.94 $9.94

12.68%

Cappuccino

$5.61 $5.61

$5.08 $5.08

10.43%

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

$2.43 $2.43

$3.60 $3.60

-32.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$3.07 $3.07

-36.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.08 $5.08

36.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.16 $8.16

$6.85 $6.85

19.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$1.08 $1.08

4.63%

White Bread (500g)

$3.08 $3.08

$3.97 $3.97

-22.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$4.13 $4.13

-33.90%

Eggs

$3.96 $3.96

$4.94 $4.94

-19.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.54 $9.54

$13.03 $13.03

-26.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.10 $9.10

$7.56 $7.56

20.37%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.49 $18.49

$12.19 $12.19

51.68%

Apples (1kg)

$6.29 $6.29

$1.74 $1.74

261.49%

Banana (1kg)

$2.33 $2.33

$2.12 $2.12

9.91%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$2.16 $2.16

112.04%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.88 $3.88

$2.22 $2.22

74.77%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.72 $1.72

48.84%

Onion (1kg)

$2.50 $2.50

$1.93 $1.93

29.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.60 $2.60

$0.95 $0.95

173.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.00 $1.00

174.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.78 $13.78

$11.52 $11.52

19.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.39 $14.39

$15.80 $15.80

-8.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.18 $2.18

11.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$4.48 $4.48

-20.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.44 $44.44

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.98 $3.98

$2.94 $2.94

35.37%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.07 $1.07

$2.44 $2.44

-56.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.07 $23.07

$60.1 $60.1

-61.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.29 $1.29

-15.50%

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

$34.8K $34.8K

$36.4K $36.4K

-4.34%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$26.2K $26.2K

-1.63%

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

$209 $209

$255 $255

-18.10%

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

$81.4 $81.4

$74.4 $74.4

9.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.3 $75.3

$45.32 $45.32

66.22%

Cinema Ticket

$16.35 $16.35

$4.93 $4.93

231.64%

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

$1,859 $1,859

$1,399 $1,399

32.84%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.5K $27.5K

$37.2K $37.2K

-26.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.98 $46.98

$86.8 $86.8

-45.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.60 $39.60

$46.29 $46.29

-14.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.0 $89.0

$80.7 $80.7

10.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$125 $125

$130 $130

-3.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,589 $1,589

$2,039 $2,039

-22.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,401 $1,401

$2,119 $2,119

-33.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,571 $2,571

$3,145 $3,145

-18.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,911 $2,911

$3,784 $3,784

-23.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,225 $2,225

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,556 $2,556

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,496 $5,496

$5,064 $5,064

8.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

6.24

-0.16%

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

Last update for Laurel, MD: September 13, 2026

Last update for Fontana, CA: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,589 in Laurel, MD versus $2,039 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 9% 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 $76.0 in Laurel, MD versus $46.00 in Fontana, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $386 vs $318 – making Fontana, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 21% more than Laurel, MD, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,058 per month in Laurel, MD and $4,924 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 $76.0 in Laurel, MD and $46.00 in Fontana, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 21% 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 $2,705 in Laurel, MD and $3,282 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.