Cost of Living: Riverside, CA vs Tyler, TX (2026)

Riverside

California
144
VS

Tyler

Texas
79

Riverside is 82% more expensive than Tyler.

$1,812/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,199/mo ↓ 34%
$88,575/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$65,527/yr ↓ 26%
$542,100 ↑ 151%
Home Value
$216,400 ↓ 60%
$1,880/mo ↑ 61%
Owner Costs
$1,170/mo ↓ 38%
316,241
Population
107,718

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Tyler, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $613/month cheaper in Tyler, saving renters about $7,356/year.

Median household income is $23,048/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $216,400 in Tyler.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Tyler residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Tyler — common questions

Is Riverside or Tyler cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tyler is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Tyler?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Tyler it's $1,199/month — a difference of $613/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Tyler?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $65,527 in Tyler. Median household income is $23,048/year higher in Riverside.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Riverside or Tyler?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/mo, while Tyler has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,199/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Riverside details → View Tyler details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Tyler

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