Side-by-side comparison

Riverside vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 48% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Riverside vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $832 (47%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,123 (61%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,140 (49%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,398 (45%) higher than Riverside

Income & earnings in Riverside vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $70,002 (78%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $31,899 (76%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $39,856 (107%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Riverside vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $872,500 (171%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $5,577 (133%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Riverside vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Healthcare in Riverside vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Riverside is 4.0% (100%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Riverside vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside and San Jose are about the same

Transportation in Riverside vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Riverside is 6.8 min (25%) higher than San Jose

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Riverside is 12.9% (21%) higher than San Jose

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 2.0% (286%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Riverside vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,876 (48%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $3,060 (50%) higher than Riverside

Riverside · Family

$9,112

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $3,318 (36%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Riverside and San Jose.

Is Riverside or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,947/mo in Riverside, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 48%.

What is the rent difference between Riverside and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Riverside, California is $1,852/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,123 (61%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Riverside or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Riverside and San Jose

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

Riverside profile San Jose 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.