Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 138,723 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 59.2% | 53.6% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 40.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $671,948 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.6% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.0% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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