Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Fontana, CA
🏆 Fontana leads 12 of 22 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
96,076
Fontana
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,230 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
71 ✓ Safer
Population
209,279 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
Rent averages $231/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,616)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $40k less ($466,300 vs $506,600)
Cons
Median income trails Fontana by $28,751/yr
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 6.2%)
Fontana, CA
Pros
48% less violent crime than Arden-Arcade
Households earn $28,751 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 57°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,616/mo
Longer commutes — 33.3 min average each way
Pricier housing — median home is $506,600
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Median Home Value
$40k less
$466,300 vs $506,600
Fontana
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Fontana
Median Income
$28,751
$93,230 vs $64,479/yr
Fontana
Violent Crime
48% lower
270.2 vs 518.1 per 100k
Fontana
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.2% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Fontana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $506,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,616⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $93,230 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 10.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | 66 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 71 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 21.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% ✓ Higher | 78.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Fontana Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 93.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 209,279 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 66.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 8.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Fontana's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Fontana is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fontana leads 12 of 22 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 10 and Fontana wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Fontana or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $506,600 median home), income ($64,479 vs $93,230), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Fontana, CA are about 379 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.