Cost of Living in Riverbank, CA

Population 24,881 · California · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Riverbank sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Riverbank sits roughly 7 miles northeast of Modesto. Housing prices track closely with Modesto's $416,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 145
Rent 116

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Riverbank

The median home value in Riverbank is $442,300 — 45% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,527/month, 16% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,216/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Riverbank has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$442,300
45% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$482,499
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,527/mo
16% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 68.6%
Renter-occupied 31.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,527
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,141/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
29.7 min
10% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.4%
Carpooled
10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
6.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$90,216
21% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,577
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor Force Participation
62.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.4%
Graduate degree 5.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.9
Male median age 31.6
Female median age 33.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
150
Max AQI recorded
161
PM2.5 days
199
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Riverbank, CA?

Riverbank has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Riverbank, CA?

The median gross rent in Riverbank is $1,527 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Riverbank?

The median home value in Riverbank is $442,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Riverbank?

The median household income in Riverbank is $90,216 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Riverbank, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Riverbank is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Riverbank, CA affordable?

Riverbank is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

Riverbank at a Glance

Population
24,881
Median Income
$90,216
Home Value
$442,300
Median Rent
$1,527/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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