Ontario CA vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 14.6% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 36.1% | Ontario + |
| Black | 1.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 7.8% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 15.2% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $60,698 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $37,669 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.4% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 22.0% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.6% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.3% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 48.5 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 34.5 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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