Cost of Living in Riverside County, California

$1,814/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$510,300

Median Home Value

12% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,814/mo

12% above state average

Median Home Value

$510,300

81% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

34.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Riverside County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Riverside County$1,814/mo

California Average$1,618/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,814/mo

Median Gross Rent

$510,300

Median Home Value

$1,972/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

34.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Riverside County, California

Riverside rents are steeper than America's

Riverside County residents spend 24.3% of income on rent, outpacing the national median of 22.4%. With a median household income of $89,672—well above the national average of $74,755—Riverside workers still face above-average housing cost burdens.

Mid-pack affordability in expensive California

Riverside's 24.3% rent-to-income ratio sits above California's state average of 22.4%, placing it among less affordable inland counties. However, the county remains more accessible than coastal hotspots like San Diego and San Francisco.

Riverside edges out San Bernardino for value

Riverside's median rent of $1,814 is $108 higher than neighboring San Bernardino County, though both inland neighbors offer better affordability than San Diego County's $2,154 median rent. Riverside's home values average $510,300, sitting between San Bernardino ($475,000) and San Diego ($791,600).

Housing eats 24% of Riverside incomes

Renters in Riverside pay $1,814 monthly while homeowners face $1,972 in costs—a modest $158 gap suggesting balanced options. At $89,672 median household income, the typical Riverside household dedicates nearly a quarter of earnings to housing alone.

Riverside: inland gateway to California living

If you're priced out of San Diego but seek California's lifestyle, Riverside offers $281 cheaper monthly rent and comparable home values $281,300 below coastal neighbors. The county's above-average household income of $89,672 makes housing costs manageable for mid-to-upper income families.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Riverside County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

24.3%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$2,092

per month

Owner Cost Burden

26.4%

of gross income

The median home in Riverside County may be a stretch

Median home value is $510,300. Estimated monthly cost: $4,074 vs. your max of $2,092.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio24.3%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Riverside County, California?

Riverside County, California has a median monthly rent of $1,814/mo and a median home value of $510,300. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 34.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Riverside County?

The median gross rent in Riverside County is $1,814/mo. This is 12% above state average for California.

Is Riverside County affordable?

Riverside County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 34.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Riverside County's rent compare to the state average?

Riverside County's median rent of $1,814/mo is 12% above state average of $1,618/mo for California.

What is the median home value in Riverside County?

The median home value in Riverside County, California is $510,300. This is 81% above the national median home value of $281,900.