Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Riverside, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Riverside

California
144

San Francisco is 85% more expensive than Riverside.

$2,419/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↓ 25%
$141,446/yr ↑ 60%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↓ 37%
$1,380,500 ↑ 155%
Home Value
$542,100 ↓ 61%
$2,620/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↓ 28%
836,321
Population
316,241

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $607/month cheaper in Riverside, saving renters about $7,284/year.

Median household income is $52,871/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Riverside — common questions

Is San Francisco or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Riverside is cheaper to live in with an index of 144 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Riverside?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $607/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Riverside?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $52,871/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Riverside details →

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