Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 7% pricier than Riverside, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Riverside, CAoverall index
106.4
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Riverside, CA
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $106,767.
That’s about $6,767 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 7%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 32% higher than in Riverside, CA (170.4 vs 129.3), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Los Angeles, CA
| $50,000 in Riverside, CA | $53,383 |
| $75,000 in Riverside, CA | $80,075 |
| $100,000 in Riverside, CA | $106,767 |
| $150,000 in Riverside, CA | $160,150 |
| $200,000 in Riverside, CA | $213,534 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Riverside, CA.
Riverside, CA · housing
129.3
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Riverside, CA?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 106.4 for Riverside, CA, making it about 7% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Riverside, CA?
About $106,767. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Riverside, CA costs roughly $106,767 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Riverside, CA?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 129.3 in Riverside, CA — about 32% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Riverside, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 7% pricier than Riverside, CA (index 113.6 vs 106.4), with housing 32% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.