Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ontario, CA
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Rochester leads 12 of 23 categories
Ontario
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
176,326
Rochester
New York
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ontario, CA
Pros
Households earn $33,914 more per year on average
53% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $513,000
Higher rents — median is $1,826/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Rochester
Longer commutes — 31.3 min average each way
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $402k less ($111,400 vs $513,000)
Rent averages $831/mo less ($995 vs $1,826)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Ontario
More college-educated — 29.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Ontario by $33,914/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ontario
Median Income
$33,914
$78,070 vs $44,156/yr
Ontario
Violent Crime
53% lower
272.2 vs 582.3 per 100k
Ontario
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.8% vs 8.5% unemployment
Ontario
Summer Heat
11.3°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$402k less
$111,400 vs $513,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $513,000⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,826⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,070 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 78 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 87 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.4:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.2% | 29.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 76.2% | 83.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ontario-Montclair | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.6" ✓ Drier | 35.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,326 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 32.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.9% ✓ More | 21.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.0% | 12.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ontario's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rochester leads 12 of 23 categories. Ontario wins 11 and Rochester wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ontario to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($513,000 vs $111,400 median home), income ($78,070 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ontario, CA and Rochester, NY are about 2,226 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.