Rent vs buy in Fontana, CA
In Fontana, California, the typical home costs $633,770, while the typical rent is $3,191 /mo.
Over 7 years, buying comes out ahead by $36k
The calculation uses today's mortgage rate, 20% down, and Fontana's typical rent and home value. You break even in year 6.
Clearly labeled opinion, with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. If you change a number, the stamp changes.
- How far owning is ahead
- $36k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- In year 6 when owning catches up
- What owning really costs
- $5,400 each month year 1, against $3,191 rent
Change my numbers
The stamp relies on Fontana's typical rent and home value. Changing your rent, price or years can flip the result.
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fontana?
Over 7 years, buying costs $35,647 less when you include the money returned after you sell. In year 6, owning's net cost falls below renting's and remains lower.
Renting. Owning. Net cost to date, by year.
Comparing average rent and mortgage payments in Fontana
Rent and mortgage payments don't tell the whole story. Here are all monthly costs in year 1 for Fontana's typical price.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $3,191 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $3,455 | $3,046 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $433 | 0.82% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $99 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $528 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $4,516 | $410 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $1,030 | Annual earnings on the cash at 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $264 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $5,400 | Cash out minus the equity part, plus the two amounts listed above |
The figures behind Fontana's verdict
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $633,770
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $3,191 /mo
- Down payment20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine does not model
- 20%
- Mortgage rateFreddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Home price growthFHFA house price index, California, 1995 to 2025
- 5.3% a year
- Rent growthCPI rent of primary residence, yearly growth 2006 to 2026
- 3.5% a year
- Return on savings60% S&P 500 with dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced yearly, 1928 to 2025
- 8.3% a year
- Property taxCensus ACS 2020-2024, Fontana
- 0.82% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Fontana
- $99 /mo
- MaintenanceFannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- 1% of value a year
- Buying costsFreddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% of price
- Selling costsAgent commission plus closing costs
- 6% of price
What would change Fontana's result?
Each line marks the point where the verdict over 7 years changes in Fontana, while everything else stays as it is.
Renting wins if
- Our calculation uses California's long-run rate of 5.3%. Home prices grow more slowly than 4.6% a year.
- The mortgage rate remains above 8.23%.
- A similar home rents for under $2,810 a month (the local typical rent is $3,191).
- You relocate before year 6.
When buying comes out ahead
- Home prices increase by more than 4.6% each year.
- You secure a mortgage rate under 8.23% (today's rate is 7.24%).
- Renting that home would cost more than $2,810 each month.
- You remain for 6 years or longer.
How Fontana compares with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Fontana | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $633,770 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $3,191 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 16.6 (#513 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 6% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Property tax | 0.82% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 33% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in California
- Renting. Los Angeles, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $111k.
- Renting. San Diego, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $108k.
- Renting. San Jose, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $210k.
- Renting. San Francisco, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $128k.
- Buying. Fresno, CA. Buying comes out ahead by $22k.
- Close call. Sacramento, CA. Renting is ahead by $3k.
- Renting. Long Beach, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $111k.
- Renting. Oakland, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $44k.
- Buying. Bakersfield, CA. Buying comes out ahead by $11k.
- Renting. Anaheim, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $115k.
- Buying. Stockton, CA. Buying comes out ahead by $16k.
- Renting. Riverside, CA. Renting comes out ahead by $27k.