Fontana CA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 11.2% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $78,779 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $39,586 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 10.5% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 31.5% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 64.3% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Mesa
16.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Mesa
11.4%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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