Riverside CA vs West Valley City UT — 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%

West Valley City, UT

Utah · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$473,364
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Riverside
316,241
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Riverside
39.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Riverside
6.0%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
West Valley City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
West Valley City
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
West Valley City
$473,364
West Valley City +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
West Valley City
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
West Valley City
33.5%
West Valley City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
West Valley City
10.6%
West Valley City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
West Valley City
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
West Valley City
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

West Valley City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $473,364. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Valley City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Riverside & West Valley City