Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 138,723 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 63.1% | 53.6% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.6% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $671,948 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 58.1% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 28.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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