salaryRent is higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.5 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $104,720 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 416 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Ontario with other big cities
Compare Ontario to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Ontario?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ontario
| Size | Ontario | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,060 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,746 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,120 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,384 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,956 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ontario overall?
Everyday prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area are 6% above the U.S. average (index 106.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ontario
Life in Ontario
What jobs pay in Ontario
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $169,920 | 18.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $165,490 | 19.0% |
| Pharmacist | $161,870 | 19.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $133,940 | 23.5% |
| Software Developer | $133,270 | 23.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $115,120 | 27.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $105,730 | 29.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,030 | 29.9% |
| Operations Manager | $102,260 | 30.7% |
| Police Officer | $101,870 | 30.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,520 | 31.9% |
| Accountant | $83,920 | 37.4% |
| Firefighter | $79,160 | 39.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,970 | 40.8% |
| Electrician | $72,790 | 43.2% |
| Carpenter | $70,880 | 44.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,840 | 45.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,300 | 48.9% |
| Plumber | $63,920 | 49.1% |
| Truck Driver | $60,580 | 51.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,150 | 66.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,700 | 67.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,430 | 67.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,060 | 68.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,450 | 74.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,720 | 85.6% |
| Cashier | $35,700 | 88.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,800 | 90.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ontario?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,598 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $607,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $60,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ontario, CA?
Renting in Ontario costs a median of about $2,618 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Ontario?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $104,720 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ontario cheap or expensive?
Ontario is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.8% of the typical household income of $95,923. It ranks 416th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ontario?
The median homeowner in Ontario pays $3,638 a year in property taxes, about 0.60% of the median home value.
Is Ontario more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ontario?
The median home value in Ontario is $607,600, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
180,547 people live in Ontario. Numbers are typical (middle) values.