New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 84.3% | 39.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $648,603 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 56.3% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 34.1 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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