Fontana CA vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Fontana +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Schenectady
42.3
Schenectady +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 28,542 | Fontana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 42.3 | Schenectady + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 6.8% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.2% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 3.0% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 4.7% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $100,485 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 10.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 57.5% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 38.6% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, 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
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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%.
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