Side-by-side comparison

Riverside vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Riverside, California and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 1% more expensive than Sacramento. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,910/mo in Sacramento.

Rent in Riverside vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Riverside is $97 (6%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Riverside is $75 (4%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Riverside is $100 (5%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Riverside is $87 (3%) higher than Sacramento

Income & earnings in Riverside vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Riverside is $948 (1%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Sacramento is $5,083 (12%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Sacramento is $4,827 (13%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Riverside vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Riverside is $11,400 (2%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Riverside is $421 (11%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Riverside vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Healthcare in Riverside vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Riverside is 2.9% (57%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Riverside vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside and Sacramento are about the same

Transportation in Riverside vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Riverside is 6.1 min (22%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Riverside is 7.0% (10%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Sacramento is 0.8% (114%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Riverside vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Riverside is $37 (1%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Riverside is $193 (3%) higher than Sacramento

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Riverside is $180 (2%) higher than Sacramento

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Riverside and Sacramento.

Is Riverside or Sacramento more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,947/mo in Riverside, California and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Riverside and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Riverside, California is $1,852/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Riverside is approximately $75 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Riverside or Sacramento?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Riverside and Sacramento

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

Riverside profile Sacramento 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.