Riverside, CA vs Santa Clara, 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
Santa Clara
65.7
#1617 nationally
Santa Clara leads in crime level (5.0 vs 16.2). Santa Clara leads in median household income ($165,352 vs $83,448). Riverside leads in cost of living index (140 vs 241).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1938) | 65.7 (#1617) |
| Population | 318,858 | 131,062 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $650,289 | $1,680,833 |
| Median Household Income | $83,448 | $165,352 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 23.6 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 16.2 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 140 | 241 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | D+40.0 |
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
65.7 Score
Santa Clara, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,680,833
Population
131,062
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Santa Clara, CA →
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