Fontana CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 6.1% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 2.9% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 7.8% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $65,745 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $38,200 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.6% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.6% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 58.3% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 35.3% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.5% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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