Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 70.3% | 39.2% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $648,603 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 56.3% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.7% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 66.8°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pueblo, COLos Angeles, CA vs Pueblo, COChicago, IL vs Pueblo, COHouston, TX vs Pueblo, COPhoenix, AZ vs Pueblo, COPhiladelphia, PA vs Pueblo, CO