Fontana CA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 8.6% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 1.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 10.3% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $62,671 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $44,249 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.8% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.1% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 43.5% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.7% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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