Ontario CA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Salem
12.2%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Salem
1.6%
Tie
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 12.2% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.6% | Tie |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.5% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 23.4% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $71,900 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $36,477 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 14.7% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.4% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.7% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 41.4% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 39.7 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem 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, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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