Fontana CA vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 19.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 1.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 3.9% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $77,041 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $40,309 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.3% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 57.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fontana +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.3% | Fontana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.2% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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