Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 56,358 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 43.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 49.9% | 43.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Fontana
44.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.3% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 44.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $641,894 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.2% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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