Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fontana
17.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 56,358 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 43.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 42.3% | 43.1% | Fontana + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 17.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.3% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $641,894 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fontana
11.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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