Phoenix, AZ 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.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 140). Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $65,891). Phoenix leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 16.2 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+1.3 |
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →
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 →