Novato, CA vs Riverside, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Novato
61.2
#1914 nationally
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Novato leads in crime level (6.9 vs 16.2). Riverside leads in cost of living index (140 vs 193). Novato leads in median household income ($110,948 vs $83,448).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Novato, CA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.2 (#1914) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 51,722 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,078,032 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $110,948 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 29.5 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 36 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 16.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 193 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+63.9 | R+1.3 |
D-
61.2 Score
Novato, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,078,032
Population
51,722
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Novato, CA →
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →