Fullerton CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fullerton
141,278
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 14.6% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 36.1% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 2.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 7.8% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 15.2% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $60,698 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $37,669 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.4% | Fullerton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.0% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 34.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 48.5 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Fullerton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 34.5 min | Fullerton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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