Ontario CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Reno
16.1%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 16.1% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 7.0% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 24.6% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $78,448 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $45,180 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 12.5% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 35.7% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.4% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.9% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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