Fullerton CA vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fullerton
141,278
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
New York
35.9%
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
New York
14.6%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 43.0% | 35.9% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 2.1% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 14.6% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 28.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Fullerton +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $79,713 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.7% | Fullerton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.4% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 41.0% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
New York
$816,078
New York +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $816,078 | New York + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 32.8% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
New York
25.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 25.1% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.9% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.4% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 46.6 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Fullerton +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 44.2 min | Fullerton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while new York offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $816,078. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. Fullerton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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