Rancho Cucamonga CA vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 44.0% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 8.3% | 5.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 29.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $104,321 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 11.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $1,006,261 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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