Novato, CA vs Ontario, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Novato
61.2
#1914 nationally
Ontario
63.8
#1740 nationally
Novato leads in median household income ($110,948 vs $78,070). Ontario leads in cost of living index (143 vs 193). Ontario leads in walk score (48 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Novato, CA | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.2 (#1914) | 63.8 (#1740) |
| Population | 51,722 | 182,457 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,078,032 | $671,649 |
| Median Household Income | $110,948 | $78,070 |
| Average Commute | 29.5 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 7.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 193 | 143 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+63.9 | R+2.1 |
D-
61.2 Score
Novato, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,078,032
Population
51,722
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Novato, CA →
D
63.8 Score
Ontario, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$671,649
Population
182,457
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Ontario, CA →