Los Angeles 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)

Los Angeles, CA

California · Population: 3,857,897

  • Median HH Income$80,366
  • Median Home Price$956,465
  • Unemployment7.9%
  • Bachelor's+37.8%

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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Ontario
36.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Ontario
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Ontario
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Ontario
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Ontario
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Ontario
12.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Ontario
15.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +

Which City is Right for You?

Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Los Angeles & Ontario