Concord 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)

Concord, CA

California · Population: 124,260

  • Median HH Income$109,195
  • Median Home Price$739,280
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+37.8%

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
Concord
124,260
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Concord
48.1%
Concord +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Concord
3.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Riverside
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Concord +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
Riverside
25.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
Riverside
56.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Riverside
11.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Concord +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +

Which City is Right for You?

Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, 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 Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Concord & Riverside