Fontana CA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Fontana
43.1%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 24.8% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 1.2% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 17.6% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $104,321 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.1% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fontana +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $1,006,261 | Fontana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 47.6% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while fontana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $641,894. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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