Fontana CA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
St. Charles
71,542
St. Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fontana
43.1%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 71,542 | St. Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 4.2% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 1.2% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 1.4% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 7.7% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $55,578 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $31,499 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.7% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.7% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 61.4% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Fontana +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fontana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 35.9% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.4% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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