New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Riverside
22.4%
White
New York
35.9%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 316,241 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 22.4% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 22.7% | 6.0% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 8.3% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Riverside
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $33,716 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 25.7% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.7% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.5% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 66.8°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | New York, NY | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX