Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ontario, CA
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 14 of 23 categories
Ontario
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,070
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
176,326 ✓ Larger
Westminster
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ontario, CA
Pros
10% less violent crime than Westminster
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $12,581/yr
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.1%)
Pricier housing — median home is $513,000
Longer commutes — 31.3 min average each way
Westminster, CO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $12,581 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Homes cost $46k less ($467,200 vs $513,000)
Rent averages $94/mo less ($1,732 vs $1,826)
Cons
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Ontario
Violent Crime
10% lower
272.2 vs 303.6 per 100k
Westminster
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Westminster
Median Income
$12,581
$90,651 vs $78,070/yr
Westminster
Median Home Value
$46k less
$467,200 vs $513,000
Westminster
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $513,000⚠ High | $467,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,826⚠ High | $1,732⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,070 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 78 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 87 ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.4:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.2% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 76.2% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ontario-Montclair | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 91.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.6" ✓ Drier | 17.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,326 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.9% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.0% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ontario's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Westminster is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 14 of 23 categories. Ontario wins 9 and Westminster wins 14. 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($513,000 vs $467,200 median home), income ($78,070 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ontario, CA and Westminster, CO are about 800 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.