Fontana CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 8.3% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 41.5% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 3.2% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $46,628 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $30,451 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.9% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 26.6% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 37.2% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 38.0% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.3% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.6% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fontana, CA vs New York, NYFontana, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fontana, CAFontana, CA vs Houston, TXFontana, CA vs Phoenix, AZFontana, CA vs Philadelphia, PA