Fontana CA vs Plano TX — 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%

Plano, TX

Texas · Population: 287,339

  • Median HH Income$108,649
  • Median Home Price$507,575
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+59.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fontana
56,358
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Plano
28.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Plano
22.6%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Plano
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Plano
$108,649
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Plano
56.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Plano
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
Plano
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +

Which City is Right for You?

Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Fontana & Plano