Fontana, CA

Fontana CA scores 71/100 on safety (about average). Crime is about 30% below the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 70 (100 = avg); violent crime index 73; property crime index 66. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Fontana. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Fontana is about $1,839/month (on the high side). At $1,839/month for a typical unit, you need about $66,204+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $586,800.

Median household income is $102,821, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($102,821) clears the $66,204 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 85°F (highs near 94°F, lows near 76°F).

Midafternoon outdoor time is limited most of summer without shade and water. Plan on summer electric bills around $200–$300/month for a typical apartment if you run AC hard. If you visit, go in July or August. That is the real test.

Who tends to thrive in Fontana: (1) Dual-income households (at $1,839/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (2) People who genuinely love heat and do not mind living indoors June through September (highs near 94°F) (3) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $102,821 helps carry housing costs) (4) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 71/100)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $1,839/month) (2) People who need outdoor time year-round for their mental health (summers lock you inside for 3–4 months; highs near 94°F) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,839/month

Income sniff test: clear about $66,204 household income for $1,839/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Fontana holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 71/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $1,839/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.