Firstly why Ontario, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Ontario
• State: California
• Population: 183,392 people
• Ontario’s quick summary would be Known for the Ontario Mills shopping mall and the Ontario International Airport.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 15,000 annually
• Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 1,500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a bustling economy and diverse culture appealing to a range of residents

Perk #1: Ontario Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 34%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 54%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $71,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Ontario is $67,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-4000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Ontario’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 140 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,978
• Property Tax %: 1.15%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,450
• Rent for an average house: $2,300
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Ontario
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Ontario, Chino, Upland, Montclair, and probably could include Rancho-Cucamonga
• Avg. Age of Homes in Ontario: 38 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Ontario’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Ontario are  Logistics, Retail, and Manufacturing
• Ontario Job Scene: strong job market with logistics and manufacturing opportunities
• The General Tech Scene: diverse tech scene with a focus on logistics, e-commerce, and local innovation
• Ontario Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Ontario: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 90 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 13

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Ontario

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $150 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-10 and I-15 run through Ontario creating various interchanges
• Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: congestion at the Ontario Mills
• Transportation Score: 48 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Ontario: 75,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 9 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Ontario: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 63 of 100
• Local Airport: Ontario International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Ontario’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Ontario is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall
• Winter Weather in Ontario i’d describe as mild and dry
• Spring Weather in Ontario can be described as warm and dry
• Summer’s in Ontario are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Ontario is usually warm and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 25 days in summer
• Days in a row in Ontario below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 19 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by traffic emissions
• Ontario Winter Air poor air quality during winter months due to smog

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Ontario Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Ontario 5
• While the number of trade schools inside Ontarios’s city limits are 4
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Ontario City Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Ontario Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Ontario only Doctors is about 130
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Ontario only Police Officers is about 320
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Ontario’s Monthly utility bill average is $180
• Ontario’s Monthly Gym Membership: $58
• Ontario’s Water Quality Score: 69

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Ontario

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: urban city with a mix of commerce and recreational sites
• You might enjoy live music at the Ontario Convention Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Ontario  features a diverse array of bars and restaurants suitable for both casual outings and vibrant nightlife

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Ontario

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a variety of restaurants from fast food to Asian cuisine
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 60 scattered around Ontario
• The Popular Sports Team is Ontario Reign
• Top Level Political Climate in Ontario can be described as urban city with a mix of liberal and conservative politics
• Ontario’s Longer standing religious establishment is St. George Serbian Orthodox Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Ontario Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Ontario has 45 Parks?
• Bramalea Park is Ontario’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Ontario Farmers Market normally open Friday 4pm-8pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Outdoor sports, hiking, and fishing

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Ontario Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Ontario can be described as busy urban life with a focus on commerce and shopping
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Ontario exploring museums community sports attending local fairs
• The Cities people commute to from Ontario are San-Bernardino 15 miles away Fontana 11 miles away Riverside 21 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Ontario or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: congestion at the Ontario Mills. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Ontario’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Ontario is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Ontario are San-Bernardino 15 miles away Fontana 11 miles away Riverside 21 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Ontario has 0 days in a row below freezing and 25 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Ontario people have an average (positive or negative) $-4000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   1,500 homeless people living in Ontario. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general urban city with a mix of liberal and conservative politics could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Ontario.

Retiree & Senior Life in Ontario

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may benefit from tax credits for property taxes easing budget constraints
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Courtyards at Ontario
• Ontario Senior Center features classes activities and wellness programs for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Ontario, California?

If Ontario, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Ontario, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!