Riverside, CA vs Phoenix, AZ: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Phoenix, AZ is 2.9% less expensive than Riverside, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Riverside works out to about $72,800 in Phoenix, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 6.3% lower and other services 2.7% higher in Phoenix, while housing is 6.2% lower.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 37.2% lower in Phoenix.
- Typical asking rent is $1,720 a month in Phoenix and $2,533 in Riverside, $9,756 a year less in Phoenix (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $441,000 in Phoenix and $580,000 in Riverside.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Phoenix was 5.3% less expensive than Riverside.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Riverside and Phoenix
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
All items Riverside, CA: 106.4 Phoenix, AZ: 103.3
Goods Riverside, CA: 101.4 Phoenix, AZ: 95.0
Housing (rents) Riverside, CA: 129.3 Phoenix, AZ: 121.2
Utilities Riverside, CA: 148.6 Phoenix, AZ: 93.3
Other services Riverside, CA: 101.3 Phoenix, AZ: 104.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 106.4 | 103.3 |
| Goods | 101.4 | 95.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 129.3 | 121.2 |
| Utilities | 148.6 | 93.3 |
| Other services | 101.3 | 104.0 |
| Category | Riverside | Phoenix | Phoenix vs Riverside |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 106.4 | 103.3 | −2.9% |
| Goods | 101.4 | 95.0 | −6.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 129.3 | 121.2 | −6.2% |
| Utilities | 148.6 | 93.3 | −37.2% |
| Other services | 101.3 | 104.0 | +2.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,533 | $1,720 | −32.1% |
| Typical home value | $580,000 | $441,000 | −24.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Riverside | $75,000 | $72,800 | −2.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Riverside and Phoenix has widened since 2008: 0.6 points then, 3.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.3 | 105.7 |
| 2009 | 106.2 | 105.4 |
| 2010 | 105.2 | 102.7 |
| 2011 | 104.6 | 100.3 |
| 2012 | 104.5 | 98.7 |
| 2013 | 105.7 | 99.5 |
| 2014 | 107.1 | 99.1 |
| 2015 | 107.1 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 105.6 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 102.8 | 98.9 |
| 2018 | 106.0 | 99.6 |
| 2019 | 105.7 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 104.4 | 102.8 |
| 2021 | 105.6 | 99.1 |
| 2022 | 106.7 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 107.3 | 104.7 |
| 2024 | 106.4 | 103.3 |
Goods
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.6 | 105.6 |
| 2009 | 100.8 | 109.1 |
| 2010 | 98.5 | 101.2 |
| 2011 | 99.7 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 102.0 | 98.0 |
| 2013 | 105.3 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 104.7 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 103.2 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 100.1 | 97.8 |
| 2017 | 99.3 | 96.0 |
| 2018 | 99.8 | 95.9 |
| 2019 | 100.2 | 94.9 |
| 2020 | 102.8 | 101.5 |
| 2021 | 100.7 | 94.5 |
| 2022 | 102.5 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 102.0 | 98.4 |
| 2024 | 101.4 | 95.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 138.0 | 113.7 |
| 2009 | 134.2 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 131.7 | 103.0 |
| 2011 | 129.4 | 103.0 |
| 2012 | 123.8 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 126.2 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 125.1 | 101.4 |
| 2015 | 121.6 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 124.6 | 100.6 |
| 2017 | 123.6 | 103.3 |
| 2018 | 126.1 | 104.4 |
| 2019 | 128.8 | 106.4 |
| 2020 | 126.3 | 111.2 |
| 2021 | 129.6 | 116.1 |
| 2022 | 129.2 | 122.8 |
| 2023 | 132.0 | 124.3 |
| 2024 | 129.3 | 121.2 |
Utilities
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 113.7 | 100.3 |
| 2009 | 112.4 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 114.7 | 106.1 |
| 2011 | 116.5 | 105.1 |
| 2012 | 122.9 | 99.0 |
| 2013 | 119.8 | 98.0 |
| 2014 | 130.2 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 130.8 | 99.6 |
| 2016 | 132.5 | 95.7 |
| 2017 | 138.1 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 145.8 | 104.7 |
| 2019 | 152.1 | 92.8 |
| 2020 | 144.5 | 89.8 |
| 2021 | 151.5 | 89.9 |
| 2022 | 155.2 | 88.2 |
| 2023 | 164.3 | 83.1 |
| 2024 | 148.6 | 93.3 |
Other services
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.1 | 103.3 |
| 2009 | 99.9 | 102.7 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 103.4 |
| 2011 | 99.1 | 100.0 |
| 2012 | 98.9 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 98.8 | 100.7 |
| 2014 | 101.7 | 99.2 |
| 2015 | 103.8 | 97.9 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 102.6 |
| 2017 | 97.6 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 102.5 | 100.6 |
| 2019 | 100.7 | 102.3 |
| 2020 | 97.3 | 101.7 |
| 2021 | 100.5 | 98.3 |
| 2022 | 101.1 | 103.4 |
| 2023 | 101.6 | 104.5 |
| 2024 | 101.3 | 104.0 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,720 in Phoenix vs $2,533 in Riverside
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,294 | $923 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,317 | $945 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,342 | $949 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,351 | $956 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,366 | $973 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,384 | $994 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,405 | $1,001 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,410 | $1,003 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,444 | $1,030 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,478 | $1,055 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,498 | $1,065 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,512 | $1,071 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,538 | $1,094 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,564 | $1,127 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,591 | $1,144 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,604 | $1,158 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,622 | $1,180 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,648 | $1,216 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,672 | $1,235 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,678 | $1,251 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,697 | $1,276 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,708 | $1,281 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,789 | $1,327 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,845 | $1,363 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,917 | $1,411 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,008 | $1,519 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,133 | $1,633 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,159 | $1,675 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,226 | $1,706 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,295 | $1,731 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,312 | $1,727 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,289 | $1,701 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,314 | $1,719 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,338 | $1,727 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,347 | $1,725 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,344 | $1,701 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,368 | $1,717 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,393 | $1,730 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,422 | $1,726 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,418 | $1,703 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,446 | $1,721 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,461 | $1,716 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,462 | $1,703 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,467 | $1,691 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,493 | $1,706 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,518 | $1,714 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,533 | $1,720 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $441,000 in Phoenix vs $580,000 in Riverside
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Riverside, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Riverside, CA | Phoenix, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $285K | $209K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $290K | $214K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $295K | $219K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $297K | $226K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $304K | $232K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $311K | $234K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $312K | $238K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $306K | $241K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $318K | $245K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $330K | $249K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $339K | $254K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $352K | $258K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $359K | $263K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $363K | $268K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $368K | $274K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $374K | $278K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $376K | $283K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $375K | $286K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $377K | $289K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $385K | $295K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $391K | $305K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $392K | $312K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $400K | $321K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $424K | $339K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $446K | $358K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $474K | $388K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $497K | $417K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $517K | $438K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $546K | $463K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $574K | $493K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $571K | $490K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $562K | $465K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $549K | $447K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $552K | $448K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $564K | $456K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $575K | $460K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $579K | $463K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $586K | $466K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $590K | $463K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $594K | $461K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $590K | $456K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $583K | $451K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $577K | $446K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $579K | $446K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $582K | $447K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $580K | $443K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $580K | $441K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Riverside, CA
- Cost of living in Phoenix, AZ
- Reverse: moving from Phoenix to Riverside
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.