Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 11% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Cambridge vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $107 (6%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $107 (6%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $37 (2%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $575 (23%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Cambridge is $37,107 (41%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Cambridge is $23,993 (57%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Cambridge is $30,309 (82%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Cambridge vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Cambridge is $176,900 (35%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Cambridge is $3,051 (73%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Cambridge vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Cambridge is $24 (48%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Cambridge is $348 (13%) higher than Riverside

Healthcare in Cambridge vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and Riverside are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and Riverside are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Riverside is 5.6% (233%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 8.3% (166%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 1.0% (16%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 2.6% (42%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 3.8 min (13%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 18.6% (33%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Cambridge is 7.3% (1043%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Cambridge is $444 (11%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Cambridge is $650 (11%) higher than Riverside

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Cambridge is $105 (1%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and Riverside.

Is Cambridge or Riverside more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 11%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $107 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or Riverside?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Cambridge and Riverside

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

Cambridge 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.