Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 16% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Seattle vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Seattle is $462 (26%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Seattle is $441 (24%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Seattle is $365 (16%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Seattle is $442 (14%) higher than Riverside

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Seattle is $32,476 (36%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Seattle is $25,010 (59%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Seattle is $33,900 (91%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Seattle vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Seattle is $300,900 (59%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Seattle is $2,596 (62%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Seattle vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Riverside are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Riverside are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Riverside is 2.8% (54%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Riverside

Transportation in Seattle vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 5.7 min (20%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 22.8% (44%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Seattle is 7.3% (1043%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Seattle is $641 (16%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Seattle is $292 (5%) higher than Riverside

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Seattle is $328 (4%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Riverside.

Is Seattle or Riverside more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Seattle is approximately $441 (24%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Riverside?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Seattle and Riverside

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

Seattle 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.