Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 7% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Phoenix vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $246 (16%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $173 (10%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $356 (18%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $455 (17%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $4,154 (5%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Phoenix is $4,509 (11%) higher than Riverside

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Phoenix is $7,048 (19%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Phoenix vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $95,600 (23%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Riverside is $2,224 (113%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and Riverside are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and Riverside are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Phoenix is 2.7% (34%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Phoenix vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Phoenix vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 7.7 min (30%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 8.0% (12%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Phoenix is 0.6% (86%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $253 (7%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $858 (16%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,014 (13%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and Riverside.

Is Phoenix or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $173 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Phoenix and Riverside

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

Phoenix 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.