Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 22% more expensive than Fresno. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,226/mo in Fresno.

Rent in Fresno vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $566 (47%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $635 (52%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $801 (53%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $970 (46%) higher than Fresno

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $18,238 (26%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Riverside is $4,085 (11%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Riverside is $5,385 (17%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $147,700 (41%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Riverside is $1,485 (55%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Healthcare in Fresno vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Riverside is 1.0% (14%) higher than Fresno

Taxes in Fresno vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Fresno and Riverside are about the same

Transportation in Fresno vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 10.4 min (44%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Fresno is 0.1% (0%) higher than Riverside

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Fresno is 0.2% (29%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $721 (22%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $1,241 (25%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,410 (18%) higher than Fresno

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Riverside.

Is Fresno or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $635 (52%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Fresno and Riverside

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

Fresno 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.