Gardena, CA vs Ontario, CA

Gardena, CA and Ontario, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Gardena scores 148 while Ontario scores 142 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gardena is $1,761/month compared to $1,916/month in Ontario — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gardena has cheaper rent, Ontario actually has lower median home values ($568,000 vs $667,600).

Median household income in Gardena is $79,291 compared to $82,806 in Ontario (-4.2%). Ontario offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardena spend roughly 26.7% of their income on rent, less than the 27.8% in Ontario.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.5°F vs 66.8°F). Gardena receives more rainfall at 11.8" per year compared to 11.6" in Ontario.