Median rent is 5% lower in Riverside ($1,812/mo vs $1,916/mo). Buying is cheaper in Riverside, where the median home runs $542,100 versus $568,000. Households earn more in Riverside ($88,575 vs $82,806 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (106.7).
City A
Ontario, CA
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Ontario, CA?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Ontario
California
Riverside
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,916/mo in Ontario and $1,812/mo in Riverside. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $568,000 in Ontario and $542,100 in Riverside.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so Riverside is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; Riverside has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Ontario
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Riverside
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Riverside (avg AQI 67.0) but not yet for Ontario.
Pick Riverside if you prioritize higher median household income ($88,575/yr).
Is Ontario cheaper than Riverside?
Ontario is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 106.7 versus 106.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Ontario.
How much is rent in Ontario vs Riverside?
Median rent is $1,916/mo in Ontario, CA and $1,812/mo in Riverside, CA. Riverside, CA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Ontario or Riverside?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario, CA and $88,575 in Riverside, CA. Riverside, 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 — Ontario or Riverside?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. Riverside, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Riverside to match my Ontario income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Ontario, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Riverside, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology