CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Ontario, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Ontario
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Ontario is moderately cheaper than Irvine — 6.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $74,900 in Ontario. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing24.1%
Irvine
170.4
Ontario
129.3
🛒 Groceries4.9%
Irvine
106.6
Ontario
101.4
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Irvine
109.6
Ontario
106.3
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Irvine
99.1
Ontario
96.2
Utilities6.3%
Irvine
158.6
Ontario
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Ontario to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Ontario, CA
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Ontario

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9366. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Ontario, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Irvine has 24.1% lower housing costs compared to Ontario.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Ontario, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
175,265
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Ontario, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.