Ontario CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 19.9% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 8.2% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 9.9% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $871,599 | Ontario + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 44.3% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.0% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 37.5 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.8 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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