Fontana CA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 5.3% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 1.2% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.4% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 12.4% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $59,480 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $31,683 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 20.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 61.0% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.3% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fontana, CA vs New York, NYFontana, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fontana, CAFontana, CA vs Houston, TXFontana, CA vs Phoenix, AZFontana, CA vs Philadelphia, PA