Riverside, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Riverside.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Riverside?
For relocators asking how much Riverside costs: the housing index sits at 157 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $542,100 and rents near $1,812. Local median income is about $88,575 and unemployment recently ran 5.9% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 32 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 505.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 157U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $542,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,812U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $88,575U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 32 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 505.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 92°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Riverside compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 323,757City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $88,575Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 157ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year57% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $542,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year79% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,812City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year34% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20261.7 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 32 min28% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 43Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 505.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)14% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2937.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 92°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 44°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 9.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals72% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 330As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals23% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Riverside grew 6.0% from 305,466 in 2010 to 323,757 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Riverside expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Riverside runs 57 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 157 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $542,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,812 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Riverside?
Budget first around $1,812/month rent or $542,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $542,100
- Median rent $1,812/month
- Median household income $88,575
What is the job market like in Riverside?
Labor-market context for Riverside: unemployment 5.9% and median income $88,575. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $88,575
How long is the typical commute in Riverside?
Plan on roughly 32 minutes each way in Riverside. Walk Score estimates around 43 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 32 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 43/100
Is Riverside safer than similar U.S. cities?
Riverside's FBI-derived violent rate (~505.9/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 505.9 per 100k
- Property 2937.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Riverside?
Riverside's climate profile: 92°F summer peaks, 44°F winter mornings, 9.4" annual rainfall, and 330 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 92°F
- Winter low 44°F
- 9.4 in rain · 330 sunny days
About 323,757 people live in Riverside, CA. Households here report a median income near $88,575; our housing-derived cost index is about 157 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $542,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 330 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 32 minutes one-way, with walkability near 43/100. Unemployment near 5.9% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 505.9 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Riverside is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Riverside with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Riverside city, 1600000US0662000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Riverside County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003171 RIVERSIDE MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10