Fontana CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fontana
56,358
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fontana
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fontana
43.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
Washington
13.3%
White
Fontana
43.1%
Fontana +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fontana
1.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Fontana
17.4%
Fontana +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Fontana
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,358 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 32.0% | 13.3% | Fontana + |
| White | 43.1% | 39.1% | Fontana + |
| Black | 1.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 36.5% | 4.1% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 17.4% | 11.6% | Fontana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Fontana
$48,238
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fontana
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fontana
6.3%
Fontana +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fontana
44.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $111,797 | $106,287 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,238 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Fontana + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.5% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fontana
$641,894
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $641,894 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.1% | 41.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fontana
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
33.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fontana
17.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fontana
16.1%
Fontana +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fontana
11.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 24.0% | Fontana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fontana
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fontana
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fontana
28.1 min
Fontana +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 32.8 min | Fontana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fontana. Fontana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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