Fontana CA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 15.1% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 1.2% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $67,521 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $34,474 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.6% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.6% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.0% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.5% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 29.6 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay 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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