Riverside CA vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 209,720 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.5 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 6.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 3.2% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 20.0% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $46,628 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $30,451 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.9% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 26.6% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 37.2% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 38.0% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.3% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.3% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.6% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 34.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. 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, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Riverside, CALos Angeles, CA vs Riverside, CAChicago, IL vs Riverside, CAHouston, TX vs Riverside, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Riverside, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Riverside, CA