Cost of living in Riverside, California
Riverside County, CA
Part of the Riverside Metro Area
Population 2,449,909 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Riverside
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Riverside
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Riverside
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Riverside
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Riverside
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Riverside
State and local tax rates for California.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Riverside
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Riverside
What it costs to live in Riverside each month.
- Rent $1,852
- Energy $217
- Water $60
- Groceries $397
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $525
- State tax $96
- Rent $2,306
- Energy $260
- Water $70
- Groceries $658
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,138
- State tax $416
- Rent $3,079
- Energy $326
- Water $85
- Groceries $998
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,138
- State tax $416
Frequently asked questions about Riverside
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Riverside?
In Riverside, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,852 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,306 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,079 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Riverside?
In Riverside, California, the average household income is $89,672 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,131 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Riverside?
The estimated cost of living in Riverside, California is approximately $3,947 per month for a single person, $6,132 for a couple, $9,112 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Riverside?
The combined sales tax rate in Riverside, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.
Is Riverside an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Riverside, California would need approximately $3,947 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $89,672 per year ($7,473 per month). Riverside has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Riverside?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Riverside, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Riverside?
The average home value in Riverside, California is $510,300, with average annual property taxes of $4,189, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Riverside compare to other areas?
You can compare Riverside, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Riverside is in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area.
Other counties in California
Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in CaliforniaCompare Riverside with another area
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP