Fontana CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 14.6% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 36.1% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 7.8% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 15.2% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $60,698 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $37,669 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.4% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 22.0% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.6% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 52.3% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 34.5 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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