Living in Riverside, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Riverside · Census data 2020–2024
Riverside has 319,069 residents with a median age of 33.6. The median household income is $91,045 (8% lower than the California median), the median home value is $584,800, the median rent is $1,914/month.
Riverside at a glance
- Population
- 319,069
- Median age
- 33.6State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $91,045State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $584,800State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,914/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 56.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.7%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Riverside a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 20% lower than the state median; unemployment of 6.3%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the California median; an average commute of 31 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.2%.
The weather is best in March to May and November.
Cost of living in Riverside
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Riverside the median home value is $584,800, 76% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,914 per month, which is 34% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,438 a month in housing costs.
Riverside median household income
The median household income in Riverside is $91,045 and the income per person is $34,896. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Riverside: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 99,910
- Owner-occupied
- 56.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.2%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 3.21
Riverside demographics
- Population
- 319,069
- Median age
- 33.6
- Under 18
- 23.1%
- 65 and older
- 12%
- Households
- 95,176
- Foreign-born
- 22.4%
- Veterans
- 4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Riverside ›
Education in Riverside
25.7% of adults 25 and older in Riverside have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Riverside
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 10.6%
- Drive alone
- 73.1%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.3%
Riverside vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | $584,800 | $1,914 |
| Woodcrest | 17,368 | $153,731 | $786,300 | $2,909 |
| El Sobrante | 13,129 | $165,682 | $836,300 | $2,880 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | $574,600 | $1,741 |
| Highgrove | 8,366 | $114,125 | $625,800 | $1,463 |
| March ARB | 1,273 | $72,411 | — | $1,639 |
| Grand Terrace | 13,078 | $83,628 | $517,600 | $2,024 |
| Home Gardens | 10,506 | $96,342 | $538,700 | $2,065 |
| Lake Mathews | 6,527 | $94,444 | $760,900 | $1,866 |
More for people moving to Riverside
Riverside ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Riverside: FAQ
What is the median household income in Riverside, CA?
The median household income in Riverside is $91,045, 8% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Riverside?
The median home value in Riverside is $584,800, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Riverside?
The median gross rent in Riverside is $1,914 per month, about 34% of household income.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 20% lower than the state median; unemployment of 6.3%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the California median; an average commute of 31 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.2%.
What is the median age in Riverside?
The median age in Riverside is 33.6 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Riverside?
The average commute to work in Riverside is 31 minutes; 10.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Riverside?
The unemployment rate in Riverside is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Riverside?
25.7% of adults in Riverside have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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