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Riverside vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Riverside, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 106.4 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $65,160 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $48,400 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $61,216 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $52,396 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $585,378 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $86,031 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 6.8 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 4,637,725 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Riverside to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Riverside to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.051.
| Salary in Riverside | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Riverside | $52,558 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Riverside | $78,837 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Riverside | $105,115 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Riverside | $157,673 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Riverside | $210,231 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Riverside and San Diego
| Job | Riverside | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,430 | $36,830 | $33,286 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,250 | $40,870 | $38,753 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,230 | $41,850 | $38,735 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $38,650 | $39,820 | $36,311 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $136,670 | $145,060 | $128,399 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,180 | $51,310 | $45,264 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $126,430 | $144,610 | $118,778 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,660 | $47,700 | $42,897 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,160 | $44,270 | $43,366 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $44,240 | $41,970 | $41,563 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $43,350 | $42,790 | $40,726 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $139,570 | $163,300 | $131,123 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $42,090 | $43,110 | $39,543 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,960 | $100,980 | $73,242 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,750 | $45,770 | $40,163 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Riverside vs San Diego: questions
Is Riverside more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 106.4 in Riverside, CA and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Riverside?
About $105,115, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Riverside or San Diego?
San Diego, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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