Fontana CA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Fort Lauderdale +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 42.9 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 26.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 1.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.6% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $79,935 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.2% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 39.8% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 53.8% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 28.5 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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