Riverside CA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.6 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 19.0% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 6.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 4.8% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 26.2% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $71,302 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.9% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 50.2% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.9% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 73.4°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 46.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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