Fontana CA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 20.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 1.2% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $56,025 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $30,475 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 19.9% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 16.8% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 40.0% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.3% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.2% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.0% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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