Median rent is 5% lower in Ontario ($2,030/mo vs $2,142/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ontario, where the median home runs $607,600 versus $661,400. Households earn more in Roseville ($119,288 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 Roseville, CA.
Quick verdict
Ontario is 2% cheaper overall
Cost index: 107.3 in Ontario vs 109.1 in Roseville (US average = 100)
City A
Ontario, CA
City B
Roseville, CA
How much would you need to earn in Roseville, CA to maintain your standard of living from Ontario, CA?
Equivalent salary in Roseville, CA
$76,223
You'd need $1,223 more (2% higher).
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
Roseville
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: $2,030/mo in Ontario and $2,142/mo in Roseville. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $607,600 in Ontario and $661,400 in Roseville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Ontario
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Roseville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Roseville (avg AQI 20.0) but not yet for Ontario.
Pick Roseville if you prioritize higher median household income ($119,288/yr).
Is Ontario cheaper than Roseville?
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 Ontario vs Roseville?
Median rent is $2,030/mo in Ontario, CA and $2,142/mo in Roseville, CA. Ontario, CA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Ontario or Roseville?
Median household income is $88,941 in Ontario, CA and $119,288 in Roseville, CA. Roseville, 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 Roseville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Roseville to match my Ontario income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Ontario, CA is equivalent to roughly $101,630 in Roseville, 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
