Fontana CA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Fontana
43.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 43.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fontana +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.5% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 28.6% | Fontana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | 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
Fontana +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. 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
Fontana, CA vs New York, NYFontana, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fontana, CAFontana, CA vs Houston, TXFontana, CA vs Phoenix, AZFontana, CA vs Philadelphia, PA