Side-by-side comparison

Riverside vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Riverside, California and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 14% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Riverside vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $369 (21%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $476 (26%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $575 (25%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $773 (25%) higher than Riverside

Income & earnings in Riverside vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $12,613 (14%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $7,421 (18%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $12,729 (34%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Riverside vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $281,300 (55%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $1,353 (32%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Riverside vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Healthcare in Riverside vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Riverside is 1.2% (18%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Riverside vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside and San Diego are about the same

Transportation in Riverside vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Riverside is 7.9 min (31%) higher than San Diego

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Riverside is 7.0% (10%) higher than San Diego

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 1.5% (214%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Riverside vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $564 (14%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $809 (13%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Family

$9,112

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $1,007 (11%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Riverside and San Diego.

Is Riverside or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,947/mo in Riverside, California and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 14%.

What is the rent difference between Riverside and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Riverside, California is $1,852/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $476 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Riverside or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Riverside and San Diego

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

Riverside profile San Diego 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.