Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 6% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $318 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $292 (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $545 (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $817 (36%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $7,875 (10%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Chicago is $7,167 (17%) higher than Riverside

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Chicago is $10,639 (29%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Chicago vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $205,100 (67%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Chicago is $1,864 (44%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Chicago vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than Riverside

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $480 (23%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Riverside are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Riverside are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Chicago is 1.0% (13%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Chicago vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 8.4% (169%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 1.0% (16%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 0.0% (0%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Chicago vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 1.9 min (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 18.4% (33%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Chicago is 12.3% (1757%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $240 (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $967 (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,301 (17%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Riverside.

Is Chicago or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $292 (19%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Chicago and Riverside

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Riverside profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.