Fontana CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 13.7% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 1.2% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 3.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $54,546 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $31,152 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.4% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.8% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 30.2% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 51.7% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Fontana +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 33.5% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Fontana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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