Fresno CA vs Ontario CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Ontario
13.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 138,723 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.9 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 38.0% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 13.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 40.0% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Ontario
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $671,948 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Ontario
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Ontario
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.0% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 65.5°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 15.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.2 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA