Fontana CA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%

Lynchburg, VA

Virginia · Population: 79,255

  • Median HH Income$59,808
  • Median Home Price$264,994
  • Unemployment5.0%
  • Bachelor's+38.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fontana
56,358
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
38.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
49.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Lynchburg
12.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Lynchburg
41.5 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +

Which City is Right for You?

Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Fontana & Lynchburg