Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Miami
34.2%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 316,241 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 22.4% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 13.7% | 6.0% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 54.6% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $33,716 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 25.7% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $648,603 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 36.7% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.5% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Miami, FL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 34.1 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Miami, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami, FLChicago, IL vs Miami, FLHouston, TX vs Miami, FLMiami, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA