Ontario CA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 9.3% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 1.6% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.8% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 4.2% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $64,137 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $43,590 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 19.5% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.2% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 39.3 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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