Ontario CA vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Ontario
1.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 6.6% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 45.7% | Ontario + |
| Black | 1.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.4% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 5.1% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $55,279 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $38,947 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 19.8% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.4% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.8% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.9% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.8% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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