Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Ontario, CA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Ontario

California
152

San Jose is 67% more expensive than Ontario.

$2,617/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↓ 27%
$141,565/yr ↑ 71%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↓ 42%
$1,187,800 ↑ 109%
Home Value
$568,000 ↓ 52%
$2,775/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↓ 29%
990,054
Population
178,347

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $701/month cheaper in Ontario, saving renters about $8,412/year.

Median household income is $58,759/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Ontario — common questions

Is San Jose or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Ontario is cheaper to live in with an index of 152 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Ontario?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $701/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Ontario?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $58,759/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Ontario details →

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