New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.1 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 36.8% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 30.6% | 6.0% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Riverside
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $33,716 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 25.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $648,603 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 66.8°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 34.1 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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