Ontario, CA vs Riverside, CA

Ontario, CA and Riverside, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Ontario scores 142 while Riverside scores 137 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 Ontario is $1,916/month compared to $1,812/month in Riverside — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Riverside is more affordable at $542,100 median vs $568,000.

Median household income in Ontario is $82,806 compared to $88,575 in Riverside (-6.5%). Riverside offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ontario spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 24.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.8°F vs 66.2°F). Ontario receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 9.4" in Riverside.