Cost of Living in Riverside, CA

Population 316,241 · California · Data vintage 2023

162

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Riverside lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $542,000 — 78% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in California.

Cost Overview

Housing 178

Rent 138

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

About the Cost of Living in Riverside

The median home value in Riverside is $542,100 — 78% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,812/month, 38% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,575/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 79.5°F and lows of 53.0°F. Overall, Riverside has a cost of living index of 162 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 62% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$542,100

78% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$639,786

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,812/mo

38% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,346/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

24.9x

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 56.3%

Renter-occupied 43.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,812

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,426/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

34.5 min

28% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

74.7%

Carpooled

10.3%

Public transit

1.5%

Walked

2.4%

Bicycle

0.7%

Work from home

9.3%

⚡ 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

$88,575

19% above avg

Per Capita Income

$33,716

Unemployment Rate

6.0%

24% above avg

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Labor Force Participation

64.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.3%

Graduate degree 10.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.1

Male median age 32

Female median age 34.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

79.5°F

Avg Low

53.0°F

Annual Precip

9.4"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	68	68	72	76	80	87	93	95	91	83	75	67
Low °F	44	45	47	50	55	59	64	65	62	55	47	43
Precip"	2.29	2.41	1.21	0.59	0.20	0.01	0.12	0.02	0.11	0.33	0.57	1.51

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 79 — Moderate

17%

Good air days/yr

660

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

207

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

57%

4-Year Graduation Rate

522.2:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

42,299

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Riverside, CA?

Riverside has a cost index of 162 (100 = national average). It is 62% above the national average.

What is average rent in Riverside, CA?

The median gross rent in Riverside is $1,812 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Riverside?

The median home value in Riverside is $542,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Riverside?

The median household income in Riverside is $88,575 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Riverside, CA?

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

Is Riverside, CA affordable?

Riverside is above average in cost of living, with an index of 162 — about 62% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Riverside?

Riverside has average high temperatures of 79.5°F and average lows of 53.0°F. Annual precipitation is 9.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Riverside at a Glance

Population: 316,241
Median Income: $88,575
Home Value: $542,100
Median Rent: $1,812/mo
Unemployment: 6.0%
Avg High Temp: 79.5°F
Sales Tax: 8.7%

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