Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 17 of 22 categories
Rancho Cucamonga
California
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696 ✓ Larger
Vallejo
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,112
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
60% less violent crime than Vallejo
Households earn $19,422 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.4%)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Homes cost $142k less ($515,500 vs $657,400)
Rent averages $290/mo less ($1,894 vs $2,184)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 94°F
Smaller class sizes — 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $19,422/yr
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$19,422
$105,534 vs $86,112/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
60% lower
293.7 vs 739.8 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.0% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
8.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 85.4°F
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$142k less
$515,500 vs $657,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $657,400⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,184⚠ High | $1,894⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,534 ✓ Higher | $86,112 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 86 ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.1:1 | 22.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alta Loma Elementary | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 57.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 85.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.2" ✓ Drier | 21.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 174,696 ✓ Larger | 125,132 |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 58.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Rancho Cucamonga is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 17 of 22 categories. Rancho Cucamonga wins 17 and Vallejo wins 5. 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 Rancho Cucamonga to Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($657,400 vs $515,500 median home), income ($105,534 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 380 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.