Fontana CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Reno
16.1%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 1.2% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 7.0% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $78,448 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $45,180 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.5% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 35.7% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 49.4% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.9% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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