Salary Needed to Live in Fontana as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $65,771/year to live comfortably in Fontana, CA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $65,771/year to live comfortably in Fontana, CA. The bare-minimum salary is $61,266/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,938.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,727/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,481/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$65,771
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$61,266
$5,106/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,727
2% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Fontana
| Expense | Fontana | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,379 | $1,448 | -5% |
| Groceries | $278 | $189 | +47% |
| Utilities | $157 | $183 | -14% |
| Transportation | $219 | $211 | +4% |
| Car Insurance | $174 | $215 | -19% |
| Health Insurance | $581 | $642 | -10% |
| Medicare Supplement | $244 | $200 | +22% |
| Prescription Drugs | $183 | $150 | +22% |
| Internet + Phone | $146 | $120 | +22% |
| Recreation & Social | $244 | $200 | +22% |
| Home Maintenance | $122 | $100 | +22% |
| Total Monthly | $3,727 | $3,658 | +2% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,727
Target savings (5%):$211/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,938
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$65,771
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,379
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 37% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$211/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
122/100
Fontana is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,379/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $939/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $61,266/year as the survival floor and $65,771/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Fontana
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Fontana?
A retiree needs approximately $65,771/year ($5,481/month gross) to live comfortably in Fontana with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Fontana?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Fontana costs approximately $1,379/month, which is the largest single expense at 37% of the total budget.
Is Fontana affordable for a retiree?
Fontana is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.