Ontario CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 8.3% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 41.5% | Ontario + |
| Black | 1.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.2% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 20.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $46,628 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $30,451 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 26.6% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 29.9% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 37.2% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 38.0% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.6% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 34.3 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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