Elk Grove vs Ontario: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Elk Grove, CA and Ontario, CA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricElk Grove, CAOntario, CA
Population176,105176,326
Median household income$115,864$78,070
Median home value$560,500$513,000
Median rent (/mo)$2,076$1,826

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Elk Grove, CA and Ontario, CA comes down to what you value most. Ontario has the lower median home value, and Ontario has the lower median rent.

Elk Grove has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Elk Grove or Ontario?
By median home value, Ontario is the cheaper of the two ($513,000 vs $560,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Elk Grove or Ontario?
Median household income is $115,864 in Elk Grove versus $78,070 in Ontario, per the US Census Bureau.

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