Fontana CA vs Gastonia NC — 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 1.2% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.2% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $60,554 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $33,611 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 27.7% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 54.2% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.8% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.5% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.6% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 28.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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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