Riverside

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Riverside, CA

Area Guide

The thriving capital of Southern California’s Inland Empire

Mountains Outdoors College Town Historic Shopping

Located in Southern California's Inland Empire, Riverside combines historic architecture with contemporary living. As the birthplace of California's citrus industry, the city features landmarks like the iconic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown and the University of California, Riverside campus. Mount Rubidoux and numerous parks offer outdoor recreation throughout the city. Housing options include historic properties in the Wood Streets neighborhood and residential communities in Orange Crest and Alessandro Heights. Current rental rates range from $1,480 for studios to $2,632 for three-bedroom units.

Downtown Riverside features the restored Fox Performing Arts Center, which premiered "Gone with the Wind" in 1939. Victoria Avenue showcases the city's agricultural roots with historic citrus groves, while the California Citrus State Historic Park preserves this important heritage. The downtown pedestrian mall offers shopping and dining options, and the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights has become a Southern California holiday tradition. The city's historic Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree still stands as a testament to the region's agricultural influence. The downtown area features art galleries and performance venues, while parks and recreation areas dot the cityscape.

Explore the City

Riverside’s historic districts showcase timeless architecture and character.

The Citrus Festival celebrates the rich history of citrus in Riverside.

Riverside residents can enjoy a mountain bike ride at Sycamore Wilderness Park.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Riverside, CA is $1,465 for a studio, $1,855 for one bedroom, $2,269 for two bedrooms, and $2,696 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Riverside has increased by 0.4% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,855/month
693 Sq Ft
House
$3,408/month
1,652 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,284/month
1,089 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,394/month
1,056 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Riverside, CA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Riverside, CA is 15.9% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Riverside is 31.2% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,465 - $2,696. You can expect to pay 15.7% more for groceries, 13.7% more for utilities, and 14.2% more for transportation.

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Transportation

54

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

29

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

53

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Riverside STEM Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

Magnolia Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

555 Students

Mark Twain Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

1,019 Students

Benjamin Franklin Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

812 Students

Lake Mathews Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

789 Students

Riverside STEM Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

Sierra Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

830 Students

Amelia Earhart Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

798 Students

Ysmael Villegas Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,262 Students

Arizona Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

891 Students

Riverside STEM Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

Martin Luther King Jr. High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,901 Students

Polytechnic High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,660 Students

Hillcrest High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,824 Students

Ramona High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,220 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • California Citrus State Historical Park
  • UCR Botanic Gardens
  • Louis Robidoux Nature Center
  • Hidden Valley Nature Center
  • Mary Vagle Nature Center

Military Bases

Airports

  • Ontario International
  • John Wayne/Orange County

Top Apartments in Riverside

Houses for Rent in Riverside

Property Management Companies in Riverside, CA

Living in Riverside

Restaurants

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The city of Riverside offers a wide selection of restaurants and cuisines to satisfy any appetite. These include pizza places, Korean barbecue, Mexican food, Chinese food, All-American burger joints, sandwich shops, diners, fast food chains, and more. Some of the most popular eating locations in Riverside include Mario’s Place, Backstreet Restaurant, Burger Boss, The Salted Pig, and Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro. While the city provides a number of casual dining experiences, it also hosts a number of fine dining establishments that require a reservation in advance in order to enjoy the cuisine. If a night out doesn't sound appealing after a long day of work, Riverside is also home to a large number of grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores and mini marts that can provide the ingredients for a delicious homemade meal.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.