F
39%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
104%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Ontario California National
Cost of living139140100
Goods & Services112111100
Groceries113112100
Health care99109100
Housing204196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities94127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Ontario, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Ontario? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Ontario stands at 139, making it 39% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Ontario is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Ontario falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Ontario, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 103.8% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Ontario, you you will have to spend 12% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Ontario is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.1% above the national average.

Is Ontario Affordable?

Wondering if Ontario is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Ontario, for example, the median home price is 120.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 64.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Ontario boasting a median household income of $67,357, which is 21.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ontario?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Ontario, the utilities index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Ontario, the transportation index is 23.9% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Ontario, the housing index is 103.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Ontario cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

New Real Estate Listings in Ontario Area
Search Homes for Sale in Ontario, CA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Ontario is 1% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Ontario is 39% higher than the national average
  • Ontario housing is 104% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Ontario

See all the best places to live around Ontario

Compare Ontario, CA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Ontario?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Ontario?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Ontario poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$84,281$7,023$1,966$2,529
      Renters$53,100$4,425$1,239$1,593
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Ontario, CA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Ontario, homeowners have a median income of $84,281. Using that number, a maximum of $1,966 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $53,100, which means there is a maximum of $1,239 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.27$24.2612.4%
      Beauty Salon $41.78$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.9%
      Movie $11.04$12.139.0%
      Bowling $21.11$18.0017.3%

      Groceries

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $3.49$1.57121.9%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.4%
      Potatoes $4.92$4.930.3%
      Pizza $15.31$12.0926.6%
      Beer $10.26$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.92$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $95.50$135.7829.7%
      Dentist $117.28$113.293.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.58$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $521.17$468.6011.2%

      Housing

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      Home Price $408,000.00$184,700.00120.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,441.43$2,346.694.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,557.00$949.0064.1%

      Transportation

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.75$3.4637.3%
      Tire Balancing $61.38$59.922.4%

      Utilities

      Item Ontario National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $378.97$193.9995.4%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bloomington, CA21,90712524.6%
      Lytle Creek, CA65612626.5%
      El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County), CA12,96313030.1%
      Home Gardens, CA12,02713534.5%
      Fontana, CA212,70413535.1%
      Ontario, CA178,19413938.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rancho Cucamonga, CA178,06015453.6%
      Santa Rosa, CA178,39116968.6%
      Providence, RI179,47211111.3%
      Newport News, VA179,5821032.8%
      Oshawa, ON176,009n/a 
      Ontario, CA178,19413938.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.