Riverside CA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 307,762 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.5 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 18.7% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 6.0% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 9.1% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $73,055 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.8% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 53.2% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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