Ontario, CA, known as "The Gateway to Southern California," offers a dynamic lifestyle with a strategic location. Located in San Bernardino County, Ontario is approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles and 20 miles west of San Bernardino. This medium-sized city is known for its logistics industry, diverse economy, and excellent recreational facilities.
Ontario's climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park and the expansive Whispering Lakes Golf Course, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Ontario is vibrant, with attractions like the Ontario Museum of History & Art, the Citizens Business Bank Arena, and the historic Graber Olive House. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion and the Ontario Festival of the Arts, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Ontario, with institutions like Chaffey College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Ontario an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Ontario combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to top-notch healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and the Metrolink, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its strategic location, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Ontario offers a fulfilling and dynamic experience.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Health & Safety
The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Ontario is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 185,250 inhabitants. Ontario has a population density of 3,710 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Ontario identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 50% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Ontario residents is 32. Ontario is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Ontario offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 32 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Ontario, California could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ontario and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ontario to California and the national average.
The livability score in Ontario is 64/100 and the city is ranked in the 54th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Ontario ranks well for employment (B-) and housing (B+) On a more negative note, Ontario does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Ontario market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Ontario real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Ontario. The median home price for Ontario homes is $734,036, which is 0.3% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ontario, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.3, which is 5.2% lower than the California average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Ontario | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.6% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.0% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.3% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.2% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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