Ontario 64 Average
Ontario Livability #432 ranked city in California#13,263 ranked city in the USARanks better than 54% of areas

Ontario, CA - The Gateway to Southern California

Ontario, CA, known as "The Gateway to Southern California," offers a dynamic lifestyle with a strategic location. Located in San Bernardino County, Ontario is approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles and 20 miles west of San Bernardino. This medium-sized city is known for its logistics industry, diverse economy, and excellent recreational facilities.

Ontario's climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park and the expansive Whispering Lakes Golf Course, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.

The cultural scene in Ontario is vibrant, with attractions like the Ontario Museum of History & Art, the Citizens Business Bank Arena, and the historic Graber Olive House. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion and the Ontario Festival of the Arts, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.

Education is a priority in Ontario, with institutions like Chaffey College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Ontario an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center, also supports a strong job market.

Living in Ontario combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to top-notch healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and the Metrolink, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its strategic location, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Ontario offers a fulfilling and dynamic experience.

Pros and Cons of Living in Ontario

PROS
  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in Ontario?

Located in the state of California, Ontario is a mid-sized city with a population of 178,194 residents. With a population density of 3,566 people per square mile, Ontario is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Ontario identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 50% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Ontario residents is 32. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 49% of the Ontario population is married. An important consideration when living in Ontario is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 32 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Ontario, California could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ontario and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ontario to California and the national average.

Using data and statistics Ontario has received a livability score of 64 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 60th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Ontario has higher than average grades for the following: employment (B-) and housing (B). Ontario does not score well for the following: cost of living (F) and education (D-). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Ontario can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Ontario meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Ontario. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Ontario are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Ontario come in at $408,000, which is 0.3% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Ontario, the home price to income ratio is 6.1, which is 4.7% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ontario

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Ontario?

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Compare Ontario, CA Livability

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      Ontario transportation information

      Statistic Ontario California National
      Average one way commute32min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.0%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.8%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Ontario, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).