Cost of Living Comparison Between San Juan and Ontario, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between San Juan and Ontario, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,215 in San Juan versus $2,818 in Ontario, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,318 in San Juan versus $2,783 in Ontario, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,422 in San Juan versus $2,748 in Ontario, CA.

Living in San Juan costs roughly 21% less than in Ontario, CA, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Juan 61% above, Ontario, CA 105% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.92 $18.92
$14.71 $14.71
28.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$82.5 $82.5
$65.9 $65.9
25.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.32 $9.32
$10.08 $10.08
-7.54%
Cappuccino
$3.71 $3.71
$5.54 $5.54
-33.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.71 $2.71
-34.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44 $1.44
$1.96 $1.96
-26.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 $2.95
$6.17 $6.17
-52.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.94 $4.94
$7.09 $7.09
-30.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.28 $2.28
$0.96 $0.96
137.50%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$3.42 $3.42
7.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.40 $2.40
$3.35 $3.35
-28.36%
Eggs
$7.55 $7.55
$4.36 $4.36
73.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.38 $12.38
$19.74 $19.74
-37.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.73 $9.73
$14.38 $14.38
-32.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.48 $13.48
$11.12 $11.12
21.22%
Apples (1kg)
$5.13 $5.13
$2.22 $2.22
131.08%
Banana (1kg)
$2.61 $2.61
$1.35 $1.35
93.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$2.25 $2.25
118.22%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.87 $4.87
$1.57 $1.57
210.19%
Potato (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$8.60 $8.60
-56.51%
Onion (1kg)
$3.99 $3.99
$4.77 $4.77
-16.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.54 $3.54
$3.48 $3.48
1.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.59 $1.59
$2.80 $2.80
-43.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.17 $12.17
$11.89 $11.89
2.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.64 $15.64
$15.92 $15.92
-1.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.99 $2.99
$1.78 $1.78
67.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.45 $4.45
-11.91%
🚌 Getting Around
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.52 $1.52
-49.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.40 $30.40
$29.97 $29.97
1.43%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.84 $2.84
-13.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.49 $1.49
$2.46 $2.46
-39.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.18 $41.18
$60.2 $60.2
-31.54%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$1.43 $1.43
-18.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.7K $39.7K
$31.6K $31.6K
25.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K $28.1K
$25.7K $25.7K
9.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$326 $326
$251 $251
30.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.0 $69.0
$51.3 $51.3
34.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.1 $70.1
$63.2 $63.2
11.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.23 $40.23
$65.1 $65.1
-38.18%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.67 $7.67
$29.16 $29.16
-73.70%
Cinema Ticket
$10.36 $10.36
$13.83 $13.83
-25.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$837 $837
$1,436 $1,436
-41.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.4K $12.4K
$37.1K $37.1K
-66.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.5 $56.5
$39.79 $39.79
41.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.5 $60.5
$45.62 $45.62
32.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 $108
$74.5 $74.5
45.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 $112
$99.1 $99.1
13.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,789 $1,789
$1,909 $1,909
-6.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$846 $846
$1,483 $1,483
-42.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,909 $2,909
$2,738 $2,738
6.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,465 $1,465
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,363 $7,363
$3,918 $3,918
87.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,334 $3,334
$3,611 $3,611
-7.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Juan
Ontario, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,743 $2,743
$3,603 $3,603
-23.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
6.24
4.97%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for San Juan: September 1, 2026

Last update for Ontario, CA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,789 in San Juan and $1,909 in Ontario, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Ontario, CA pays 31% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $82.0 in San Juan vs $66.0 in Ontario, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $418 vs $408 per month, with Ontario, CA cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
San Juan vs Ontario, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ontario, CA cheaper than San Juan?
San Juan is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: San Juan or Ontario, CA?
On paper, salaries run 31% lower in Ontario, CA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between San Juan and Ontario, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,789 in San Juan versus $1,909 in Ontario, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $837 in San Juan versus $1,436 in Ontario, CA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in San Juan and in Ontario, CA?
Shoppers in Ontario, CA pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is $2,000 enough to cover costs in San Juan or in Ontario, CA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. San Juan is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is San Juan or Ontario, CA more family-friendly?
For families, San Juan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ontario, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find San Juan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Ontario, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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