Ontario, CA vs Sacramento, CA

Sacramento is moderately more affordable than Ontario, with a 10% lower cost of living index. Ontario scores 142 compared to 129 for Sacramento, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ontario can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month compared to $1,694/month in Sacramento — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sacramento is more affordable at $484,600 median vs $568,000.

Median household income in Ontario is $82,806 compared to $83,753 in Sacramento (-1.1%). Sacramento 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 24.3% in Sacramento.

Climate-wise, Ontario is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 63.4°F in Sacramento. Sacramento receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 11.6" in Ontario.