Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Fontana
32.0%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Fontana
1.2%
Fontana +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Fontana
17.4%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 56,358 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 43.7 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 32.0% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 43.1% | Fontana + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.2% | Fontana + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 17.4% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Fontana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.3% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Fontana
$641,894
Fontana +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $641,894 | Fontana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Fontana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Fontana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Fontana
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Fontana
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Fontana
16.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 33.2% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.1 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fontana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $641,894. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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