Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 77.1% | 39.2% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $648,603 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 56.3% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.7% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.2% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.5% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.6% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.2% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 66.8°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 34.1 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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