Ontario, CA vs San Rafael, CA

The cost of living difference between Ontario, CA and San Rafael, CA is dramatic. Ontario is 33.7% cheaper than San Rafael, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ontario has a cost index of 142 while San Rafael sits at 214, 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 $2,346/month in San Rafael — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ontario is more affordable at $568,000 median vs $1,246,200.

Median household income in Ontario is $82,806 compared to $109,317 in San Rafael (-24.3%). The higher salaries in San Rafael 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 25.8% in San Rafael.

Climate-wise, Ontario is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 57.7°F in San Rafael. San Rafael receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 11.6" in Ontario.