Fontana CA vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 15.2% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 1.2% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $88,026 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $35,820 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.0% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 25.0% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 41.9% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.7% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.1% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 31.7 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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