Ontario CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ontario
138,723
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.4 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 9.1% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 1.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 7.2% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 8.9% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $90,685 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $47,372 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.5% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Virginia Beach 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%.
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