Fontana CA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 13.9% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 35.5% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 4.0% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $76,083 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $29,766 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.1% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.5% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 20.1% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 58.4% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.3% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 33.0 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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