Riverside, CA vs San Diego, CA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Riverside is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in San Diego are 10.5% higher, and housing prices differ the most (129.8 in Riverside vs 182.1 in San Diego). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,305 a month in Riverside and $3,833 in San Diego.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Riverside, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 106.7 | 117.9 |
| BEA index for the area | 106.4 | 111.9 |
| Housing (rents) | 129.8 | 182.1 |
| Goods | 101.4 | 108.0 |
| Utilities | 148.6 | 174.2 |
| Other services | 101.3 | 99.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,305 | $3,833 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,199 | $6,000 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,354 | $7,416 |
| Median gross rent | $1,914 | $2,313 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,597 | $1,963 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,905 | $2,442 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,218 | $2,948 |
| Median home value | $584,800 | $906,700 |
| Median household income | $91,045 | $108,077 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 34.0% | 32.4% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.4× | 8.4× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 29.75 | 29.75 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $5.75 | $5.75 |
| Population | 319,069 | 1,389,526 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Riverside, CA
Riverside price index by category, US average = 100: All items 106.7, Housing (rents) 129.8, Goods 101.4, Utilities 148.6, Other services 101.3
San Diego, CA
San Diego price index by category, US average = 100: All items 117.9, Housing (rents) 182.1, Goods 108.0, Utilities 174.2, Other services 99.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Riverside | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,982 | $2,764 | +$782 |
| Utilities | $679 | $761 | +$82 |
| Food at home | $753 | $802 | +$49 |
| Transportation | $1,894 | $2,034 | +$140 |
| Health care | $615 | $605 | −$10 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $431 | $450 | +$19 |
| Total | $6,354 | $7,416 | +$1,062 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is San Diego more expensive than Riverside?
Yes. Overall prices in San Diego, CA (index 117.9) are 10.5% higher than in Riverside, CA (index 106.7), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 182.1 vs 129.8.
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $60,000 in Riverside?
About $66,300. Going the other way, $60,000 in San Diego buys about as much as $54,300 in Riverside. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Riverside or San Diego?
Median gross rent is $1,914 in Riverside and $2,313 in San Diego (+20.8% in San Diego; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $584,800 and $906,700.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources