Chula Vista CA vs Riverside CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 65.7% | 39.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $88,575 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $33,716 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 12.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 25.7% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 56.3% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 36.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 66.8°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 10.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 34.1 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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