CostIndexUSA

Ontario, CA vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Ontario
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Ontario is slightly cheaper than Washington — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ontario, you would need $81,900 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+16.9%
Ontario
129.3
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+3.4%
Ontario
101.4
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+1.0%
Ontario
106.3
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Ontario
96.2
Washington
97.2
Utilities28.2%
Ontario
148.6
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$81,900
$1,900 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 1.0235. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ontario, CA

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

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 16.9% higher housing costs compared to Ontario.

Income & Job Market

Ontario, CA

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

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

Affordability at a Glance

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

Ontario, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.