salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.0 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 31.3 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $96,800 a year. That is $47 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 360 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Riverside with other big cities
Compare Riverside to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Riverside?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Riverside
| Size | Riverside | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,633 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,693 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,020 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,352 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,624 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Riverside overall?
Everyday prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area are 6% above the U.S. average (index 106.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Riverside
Life in Riverside
What jobs pay in Riverside
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $169,920 | 17.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $165,490 | 17.5% |
| Pharmacist | $161,870 | 17.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $133,940 | 21.7% |
| Software Developer | $133,270 | 21.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $115,120 | 25.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $105,730 | 27.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,030 | 27.6% |
| Operations Manager | $102,260 | 28.4% |
| Police Officer | $101,870 | 28.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,520 | 29.5% |
| Accountant | $83,920 | 34.6% |
| Firefighter | $79,160 | 36.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,970 | 37.7% |
| Electrician | $72,790 | 39.9% |
| Carpenter | $70,880 | 41.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,840 | 41.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,300 | 45.2% |
| Plumber | $63,920 | 45.4% |
| Truck Driver | $60,580 | 47.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,150 | 61.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,700 | 62.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,430 | 62.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,060 | 63.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,450 | 68.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,720 | 79.1% |
| Cashier | $35,700 | 81.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,800 | 83.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Riverside?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,638 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $584,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $58,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Riverside, CA?
Renting in Riverside costs a median of about $2,420 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Riverside?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $96,800 a year, or $47 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Riverside cheap or expensive?
Riverside is rated OK: rent takes 29.6% of the typical household income of $98,192. It ranks 360th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Riverside?
The median homeowner in Riverside pays $3,428 a year in property taxes, about 0.59% of the median home value.
Is Riverside more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Riverside?
The median home value in Riverside is $584,800, about 6.0 times the typical yearly household income.
319,069 people live in Riverside. Numbers are typical (middle) values.