Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 316,241 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 53.7% | 39.2% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 6.0% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $33,716 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 25.7% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $648,603 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 56.3% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 36.7% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 34.1 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX