Rancho Cucamonga CA vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.1 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 44.0% | 29.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 30.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $1,452,609 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
San Jose
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
San Jose
2388
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, 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 Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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