Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 316,241 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 53.8% | 39.2% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 6.0% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $33,716 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 12.5% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 25.7% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $648,603 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.7% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.2% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.5% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 66.8°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 34.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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