Riverside CA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Riverside
39.2%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.6 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 14.3% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 6.0% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 3.1% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $62,917 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $32,983 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 17.1% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 52.4% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 24.5% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.0% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 68.5°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 34.9 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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