Fontana, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Fontana.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Fontana?
Fontana planning snapshot: population 218,455, housing index 156 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $558,500, median rent $1,733, and income near $98,187. Expect 92°F summer highs, 44°F winter lows, and about 34-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 342.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 156U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $558,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,733U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $98,187U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 34 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 342.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 92°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Fontana compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 218,455City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $98,187Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year25% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 156ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year56% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $558,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year84% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,733City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year29% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 34 min36% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 342.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)42% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1433.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)54% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 92°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 44°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 9.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals72% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 330As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals23% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Fontana grew 10.7% from 197,317 in 2010 to 218,455 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Fontana expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Fontana runs 56 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 156 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $558,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,733 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Fontana?
Budget first around $1,733/month rent or $558,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $558,500
- Median rent $1,733/month
- Median household income $98,187
What is the job market like in Fontana?
Labor-market context for Fontana: unemployment 5.5% and median income $98,187. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $98,187
How long is the typical commute in Fontana?
Plan on roughly 34 minutes each way in Fontana. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 34 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Fontana safer than similar U.S. cities?
Fontana's FBI-derived violent rate (~342.3/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 342.3 per 100k
- Property 1433.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Fontana?
Fontana's climate profile: 92°F summer peaks, 44°F winter mornings, 9.4" annual rainfall, and 330 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 92°F
- Winter low 44°F
- 9.4 in rain · 330 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 330 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 34 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 35/100. Unemployment near 5.5% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates around 342.3 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Relocators eyeing Fontana, California will find roughly 218,455 residents within city limits. With median income around $98,187 and a cost index of 156, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,733 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Fontana is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Fontana with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Fontana city, 1600000US0624680) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Bernardino County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003171 RIVERSIDE MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10