Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 15 of 23 categories
Rancho Cucamonga
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696
Washington
District of Columbia
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
68% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 45°F
Homes cost $48k less ($657,400 vs $705,000)
Households earn $3,812 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Washington, DC
Pros
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $367/mo less ($1,817 vs $2,184)
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.4%)
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Key Differences at a Glance
Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$3,812
$105,534 vs $101,722/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
68% lower
293.7 vs 925.9 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Home Value
$48k less
$657,400 vs $705,000
Rancho Cucamonga
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.1% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 89.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $657,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,184⚠ High | $1,817⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,534 ✓ Higher | $101,722 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 30.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 86 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.1:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alta Loma Elementary | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 89.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.2" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 174,696 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Rancho Cucamonga is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 15 of 23 categories. Rancho Cucamonga wins 15 and Washington wins 8. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($657,400 vs $705,000 median home), income ($105,534 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,257 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.