Ontario vs Colorado Springs: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Ontario, California compare to Colorado Springs, Colorado? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Colorado Springs is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 34% higher in Ontario compared to Colorado Springs, while rent is 25% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 4.4% in CO.
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $513,000 | $383,000 | +33.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,826 | $1,464 | +24.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $78,070 | $79,026 | -1.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,332 | $41,849 | -29.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 4.4% | +202.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7.8% | +11.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 176,326 | 479,612 | -63.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Ontario
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Colorado Springs
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Ontario costs $513,000 compared to $383,000 in Colorado Springs — a 34% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,826/mo in Ontario vs $1,464/mo in Colorado Springs.
- Income: Median household income is $78,070 in Ontario and $79,026 in Colorado Springs.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 4.4% in Colorado.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).