Fullerton CA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fullerton
141,278
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 24.8% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 2.1% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 29.6% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Diego +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $1,006,261 | San Diego + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.6% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 24.2% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.9% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.3% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while san Diego offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,006,261. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego 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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