Cost of Living: Ontario, CA vs Athens, GA (2026)

Ontario

California
152
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Ontario is 83% more expensive than Athens.

$1,916/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 39%
$82,806/yr ↑ 60%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 38%
$568,000 ↑ 109%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 52%
$1,967/mo ↑ 69%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 41%
178,347
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.49%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $754/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $9,048/year.

Median household income is $31,151/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Athens slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario vs Athens — common questions

Is Ontario or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and Athens?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $754/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or Athens?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $31,151/year higher in Ontario.
How do taxes compare between California and Georgia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Ontario or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Ontario details → View Athens details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Ontario and Athens

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