Median rent is 10% lower in New York ($1,821/mo vs $2,030/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ontario, where the median home runs $607,600 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Ontario ($88,941 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Ontario is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 107.3 against 112.6 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Ontario, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Ontario is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 107.3 in Ontario vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Ontario, CA
How much would you need to earn in Ontario, CA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Ontario, CA
$71,469
You could earn $3,531 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
New York
New York
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in New York at $1,821/mo compared to $2,030/mo in Ontario (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $607,600 in Ontario — 22% more expensive.
Metric
New York
Ontario
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Ontario
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Ontario.
Pick Ontario if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 107.3 vs 112.6).
Pick Ontario if you prioritize higher median household income ($88,941/yr).
Ontario is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 107.3 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Ontario.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $2,030/mo in Ontario, CA. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 10%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $88,941 in Ontario, CA. Ontario, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $95,291 in Ontario, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
