Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Fontana
1.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 56,358 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 43.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 66.9% | 43.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 17.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Fontana
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.3% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $641,894 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.2% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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