Albany NY vs Fontana CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 56,358 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 43.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 53.0% | 43.1% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Fontana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.3% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $641,894 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Fontana
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Fontana
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.3% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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