Riverside CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 186,419 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 13.9% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 6.0% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 23.1% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $77,643 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.2% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 41.6% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.3% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 71.3°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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