Ontario CA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 8.6% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 43.2% | Ontario + |
| Black | 1.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 2.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 10.3% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $62,671 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $44,249 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 18.8% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 43.5% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.7% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.9% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 43.6 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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