Riverside CA vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.7 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 21.3% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 36.8% | Riverside + |
| Black | 6.0% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 29.5% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $83,753 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 14.4% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 51.5% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, 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
Riverside
36.7%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Sacramento
11.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.9% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 18.5 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, 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
Riverside
34.1 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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