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City Report · CA

Ontario

Pop. 180,547·238th most expensive in California·Ontario rents are up 5.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,605/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
+$643
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ontario · $2,605
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
68/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Ontario's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,605/mo
Expected by trend
$2,859/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ontario's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,067
1 BR
$2,153
2 BR
$2,680
3 BR
$3,577
4 BR+
$4,350
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,680/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,605 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$31,260/yr
At $2,605/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ontario, CA is majority owner-occupied, 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
180,547
Median income
$88,941
Median age
33.5
Renters
42%
Age distribution
24.4%
27.6%
26.3%
Under 1824.4%
18–3427.6%
35–5426.3%
55–6411.2%
65+10.5%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
20.3%
68.6%
White20.3%
Black6.3%
Hispanic68.6%
Asian9.8%
Education (25+)
21.9%
27.3%
28.3%
22.5%
No HS diploma21.9%
HS diploma27.3%
Some college28.3%
Bachelor's+22.5%
Housing tenure
58%
42%
Owner58%
Renter42%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Ontario, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,992 → $2,605
up 30.8%
Income
$71,908 → $88,941
up 23.7%
Population
175,223 → 180,547
up 3.0%
Renter share
44.6% → 42%
-2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
18.6% → 22.5%
+3.9 pts
Median age
32.6 → 33.5
+0.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Ontario, CA has climbed by $613 per month, settling near $2,605 after starting the period at $1,992. On the earnings side, the typical household in Ontario, CA now reports about $88,941, up from $71,908 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 7.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 175,223 to 180,547 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. About 42% of households rent today, against 44.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 18.6% to 22.5%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Ontario, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Ontario

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View Ontario rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ontario on your salary?

At $2,605/mo, how Ontario rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ontario rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Ontario. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ontario

About renting in Ontario, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ontario is $2,605/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,067/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,680/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,153/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,577/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($88,941/yr), Ontario ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ontario an affordable city for renters?

Ontario is considered moderate for renters. At $2,605/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($88,941/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ontario slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Ontario?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,605/mo in Ontario. The local median household income is $88,941/yr, meaning the typical Ontario household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ontario?

Rent in Ontario has increased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Ontario neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Ontario are 91762 ($2,472/mo), 91764 ($2,609/mo), and 91761 ($2,788/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Ontario is $2,605/mo.

How does Ontario rent compare to other cities in California?

Ontario is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #238 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,605/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ontario?

Upland is nearby and more affordable at $2,406/mo, which is $199 less than Ontario.

What percentage of Ontario residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42% of Ontario households are renters, while 58% are owner-occupied. Ontario leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ontario rent compare to the national average?

Ontario's median rent of $2,605/mo is $643 (33%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #238 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,605/mo, rent takes ~35% of Ontario's median household income ($88,941/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ontario 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Ontario affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ontario, CA

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