Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 22.4% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 17.3% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 8.3% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $88,575 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $33,716 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 25.7% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $648,603 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 66.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, CALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, CAChicago, IL vs Richmond, CAHouston, TX vs Richmond, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, CA