Rancho Cucamonga CA 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $88,575 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $33,716 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 12.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 25.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rancho Cucamonga, CALos Angeles, CA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAChicago, IL vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAHouston, TX vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CA