Fontana CA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 4.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 1.2% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.6% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 4.7% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $56,864 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $35,847 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 23.2% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.4% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 61.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Fontana +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Fontana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 45.6% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.2% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.7% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.0% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Fontana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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