Chula Vista CA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.9 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 65.7% | 44.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $45,626 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 8.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $791,317 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 63.3% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 30.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.1% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 34.6 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA