Ontario, CA vs Redwood City, CA

The cost of living difference between Ontario, CA and Redwood City, CA is dramatic. Ontario is 49.5% cheaper than Redwood City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ontario has a cost index of 142 while Redwood City sits at 282, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month compared to $2,959/month in Redwood City — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ontario is more affordable at $568,000 median vs $1,838,800.

Median household income in Ontario is $82,806 compared to $150,840 in Redwood City (-45.1%). The higher salaries in Redwood City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ontario spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Redwood City.

Climate-wise, Ontario is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 58.7°F in Redwood City. Redwood City receives more rainfall at 19.6" per year compared to 11.6" in Ontario.