Ontario CA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 113,714 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 40.7 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 4.5% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 1.6% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 2.9% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 3.4% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $65,537 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $41,110 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 16.5% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 35.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 41.1% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.7% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 37.7 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Ontario, CALos Angeles, CA vs Ontario, CAChicago, IL vs Ontario, CAHouston, TX vs Ontario, CAOntario, CA vs Phoenix, AZOntario, CA vs Philadelphia, PA