Ontario CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.5 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 13.6% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.3% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 17.2% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $78,156 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $42,839 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.6% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 11.1% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.5% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.9% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.2% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 41.6 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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