Fontana CA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 11.6% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 1.2% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 4.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 13.3% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $62,995 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $36,194 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.7% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.2% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 55.3% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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