Riverside CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 220,482 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.3 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 12.2% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 6.0% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 13.1% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $83,857 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 37.3% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.9% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 39.2 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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