Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Fontana
17.4%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 56,358 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 43.7 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 62.9% | 43.1% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.2% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 17.4% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Fontana
$48,238
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Fontana
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Fontana
44.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $48,238 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.3% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 44.9% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $641,894 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Fontana
503
Fontana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Fontana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Fontana
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Fontana
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Fontana
11.4%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 33.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.5% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.6% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.4% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.1 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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