Fontana CA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 43.1% | 40.7% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 5.9% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $66,772 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $36,694 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 20.1% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 34.7% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 41.2% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Providence
11.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 34.4% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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