| Index | Ontario | California | National |
| Cost of living | 143 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 207 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 119 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 121 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 118 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 124 | 127 | 100 |
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 143, making it 43% 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.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Ontario cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 106.6% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
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 10.4% above the national average.
Is Ontario affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Ontario, the median home price is 124.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 64.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Ontario boasting a median household income of $100,274, 23.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Ontario, the healthcare costs are 16.8% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The Ontario cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $123,499 | $10,292 | $2,881 | $3,705 |
| Renters | $80,391 | $6,699 | $1,876 | $2,412 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bloomington, CA | 22,506 | 130 | 29.9% |
| Lytle Creek, CA | 671 | 133 | 33.4% |
| El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County), CA | 13,228 | 136 | 35.8% |
| Riverside, CA | 334,324 | 140 | 40.4% |
| Fontana, CA | 220,412 | 141 | 41.4% |
| Ontario, CA | 185,250 | 143 | 43.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 185,280 | 163 | 62.9% |
| Providence, RI | 185,554 | 109 | 9.0% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Newport News, VA | 184,134 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Ontario, CA | 185,250 | 143 | 43.4% |
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