Question 1

Is Glendale or Ontario cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Ontario, CA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $614/month less than in Glendale, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Glendale versus $2,201/mo in Ontario.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Glendale vs Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Glendale, CA and $90,500/year in Ontario, CA — a difference of about $14,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Glendale or Ontario cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Ontario, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,166/month in Glendale and $11,075/month in Ontario, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Glendale or Ontario?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Ontario costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Glendale51	Ontario58
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,322	$4,708
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,166	$11,075
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$90,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$2,201
Median home value	$1,043,900	$568,000
Median household income	$84,262	$82,806
Unemployment	5.2%	4.7%
Housing score	2	16
Jobs score	22	37
Safety score	70	70
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	69	51
Population	192.3K	178.3K
Summer high / winter low	87° / 42°	92° / 44°

Glendale, CA vs Ontario, CA