Median rent is 14% lower in Ontario ($2,030/mo vs $2,352/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ontario, where the median home runs $607,600 versus $755,200. Households earn more in Folsom ($139,804 vs $88,941 a year). Taken together, Ontario is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 107.3 against 109.1 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Folsom, CA.
Quick verdict
Ontario is 2% cheaper overall
Cost index: 107.3 in Ontario vs 109.1 in Folsom (US average = 100)
City A
Folsom, CA
City B
Ontario, CA
How much would you need to earn in Ontario, CA to maintain your standard of living from Folsom, CA?
Equivalent salary in Ontario, CA
$73,797
You could earn $1,203 less (2% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Folsom
California
Ontario
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Ontario at $2,030/mo compared to $2,352/mo in Folsom (14% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $755,200 in Folsom and $607,600 in Ontario.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Folsom
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Ontario
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Folsom if you prioritize higher median household income ($139,804/yr).
Pick Ontario if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,030/mo median).
Is Folsom cheaper than Ontario?
Ontario is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 107.3 versus 109.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Ontario.
How much is rent in Folsom vs Ontario?
Median rent is $2,352/mo in Folsom, CA and $2,030/mo in Ontario, CA. Ontario, CA has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Folsom or Ontario?
Median household income is $139,804 in Folsom, CA and $88,941 in Ontario, CA. Folsom, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Folsom or Ontario?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Ontario to match my Folsom income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Folsom, CA is equivalent to roughly $98,396 in Ontario, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
