Ontario CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 13.6% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 1.6% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 12.7% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $82,424 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $49,948 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 11.4% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.2% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 46.2 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Ontario, CALos Angeles, CA vs Ontario, CAChicago, IL vs Ontario, CAHouston, TX vs Ontario, CAOntario, CA vs Phoenix, AZOntario, CA vs Philadelphia, PA