Ontario CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Portland
12.4%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.6 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 12.4% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 8.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 11.3% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $88,792 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 12.8% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.8% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 78.3 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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