Fontana CA vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 43.1% | 31.9% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 16.1% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.8% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Fontana +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $720,443 | Fontana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 41.2% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while fontana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $641,894. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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