Side-by-side comparison

Tucson vs Riverside

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

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 33% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Tucson vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Tucson · Studio

$941

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $835 (89%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $800 (76%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $933 (68%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $1,155 (60%) higher than Tucson

Income & earnings in Tucson vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $21,743 (32%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Riverside is $4,489 (12%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Tucson is $1,402 (4%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Tucson vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $223,400 (78%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Riverside is $1,941 (86%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Tucson vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $17 (11%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $11 (28%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $336 (15%) higher than Tucson

Healthcare in Tucson vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Tucson and Riverside are about the same

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson and Riverside are about the same

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Tucson is 0.9% (11%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Tucson vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 10.8% (432%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 1.7% (29%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 0.5% (6%) higher than Tucson

Transportation in Tucson vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 9.4 min (39%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 3.9% (6%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Tucson is 0.9% (129%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Tucson vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $976 (33%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $1,689 (38%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Family

$7,144

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,968 (28%) higher than Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Tucson and Riverside.

Is Tucson or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 33%.

What is the rent difference between Tucson and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Tucson, Arizona is $1,052/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $800 (76%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Tucson or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Tucson and Riverside

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

Tucson 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.