Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 316,241 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 6.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $33,716 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 25.7% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $648,603 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 56.3% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 34.1 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
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