Riverside, CA vs Sacramento, 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.
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Sacramento
66.2
#1576 nationally
Sacramento leads in average commute (26.2 min vs 31.3 min). Sacramento leads in cost of living index (123 vs 140). Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $73,924).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1938) | 66.2 (#1576) |
| Population | 318,858 | 528,001 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $650,289 | $480,488 |
| Median Household Income | $83,448 | $73,924 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 26.2 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 16.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 140 | 123 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | D+19.7 |
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 →
D
66.2 Score
Sacramento, CA
California's capital with farm-to-fork pride
Median Home
$480,488
Population
528,001
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Pacific
View Sacramento, CA →
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