Edinburg TX 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)

Edinburg, TX

Texas · Population: 102,561

  • Median HH Income$57,789
  • Median Home Price$217,077
  • Unemployment6.6%
  • Bachelor's+28.9%

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
Edinburg
102,561
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Edinburg +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Riverside
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Edinburg +
Riverside
25.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Edinburg +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Edinburg +
Riverside
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
42.5%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Edinburg +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Riverside
34.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Edinburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Edinburg & Riverside