Riverside CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Riverside
39.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 205,501 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 6.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 6.9% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 24.9% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $67,544 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 19.8% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 42.4% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.9% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 48.1 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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