Fontana CA vs Lincoln NE — 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%

Lincoln, NE

Nebraska · Population: 291,932

  • Median HH Income$69,991
  • Median Home Price$293,233
  • Unemployment3.3%
  • Bachelor's+40.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fontana
56,358
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Lincoln
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Lincoln
40.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Lincoln
55.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Lincoln
12.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +

Which City is Right for You?

Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Fontana & Lincoln