Fullerton CA vs Grand Island NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fullerton
141,278
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 24.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Grand Island
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 41.5% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.6% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 17.5% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.1% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.8% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Grand Island
26.7 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 26.7 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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