Fontana CA vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Fontana
43.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 5.8% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.4% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $64,146 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $33,835 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 11.9% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 24.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 63.3% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Fontana +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 33.6% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.3% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Fontana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.7% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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