Fontana CA vs Fort Collins CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 6.6% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.2% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 3.4% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 12.3% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $83,598 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $46,341 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.0% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 52.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Fontana +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Fontana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.3% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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