Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 24% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $550 (45%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $573 (45%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $777 (51%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $1,041 (51%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $16,568 (23%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Riverside is $393 (1%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Houston is $2,816 (8%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Houston vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $255,300 (100%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Houston is $193 (5%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Houston vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston and Riverside are about the same

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Houston vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Riverside are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Riverside are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Houston is 13.2% (165%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Houston vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 13.3% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Houston vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 4.8 min (17%) higher than Houston

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 2.2% (3%) higher than Houston

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Houston is 1.4% (200%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $762 (24%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $1,596 (35%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,925 (27%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Riverside.

Is Houston or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 24%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $573 (45%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Houston and Riverside

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

Houston 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.