Ontario CA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO

Missouri · Population: 169,432

  • Median HH Income$45,984
  • Median Home Price$245,279
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+30.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Ontario
138,723
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Springfield
30.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Springfield
42.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Springfield
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
17.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Springfield
45.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Springfield
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Springfield
19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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

About Ontario & Springfield