Fontana CA vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Long Beach
12.8%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 36.8 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 24.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 41.6% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 12.8% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Long Beach
$83,969
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Long Beach
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $83,969 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $42,370 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.0% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.8% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fontana +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $862,599 | Fontana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 40.9% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Long Beach
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Long Beach
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, 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%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.7% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, 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 +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 32.6 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fontana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $641,894. On public safety, Long Beach 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 Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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