Escondido CA vs Fullerton 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Escondido
107,066
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Fullerton
28.9%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Fullerton
24.5%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Fullerton
39.6%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 141,278 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.1 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 28.9% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 43.0% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.1% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 24.5% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 39.6% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Fullerton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $48,061 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.5% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 43.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Escondido +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $1,047,700 | Escondido + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 51.5% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Fullerton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Fullerton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, 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%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Fullerton
65.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Fullerton
13.9 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 13.9 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, 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
Escondido +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.5 min | Escondido + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while escondido offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,335. On public safety, Fullerton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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