Riverside CA vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 110,404 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.3 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 16.6% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 6.0% | 4.3% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 28.5% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Temecula
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $769,756 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Temecula
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Temecula
2388
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, 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%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.9% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, 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
Riverside +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 38.7 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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