Philadelphia vs Riverside: cost of living compared

Riverside is 5% more expensive than Philadelphia overall. State income tax tops out around 3.07% in PA vs 9.3% in CA.

Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

The big picture

Moving between Philadelphia and Riverside involves a notable shift in overall cost of living. Riverside generally presents a somewhat higher cost burden compared to Philadelphia. This difference is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are substantially greater in Riverside, overshadowing other categories where costs might be more comparable or even slightly lower in Philadelphia.

Housing

Housing costs are a major differentiator. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are considerably more expensive in Riverside than in Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers a mix of historic rowhouses and more modern developments, while Riverside features a range of single-family homes, often with larger lots. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, contributing to the overall expense of homeownership in each region.

Taxes and everyday costs

Daily expenses for food and healthcare are roughly similar between the two metros. However, transportation costs are slightly higher in Riverside, and utility bills are noticeably more expensive there. A significant difference is state income tax, which is substantially higher in California, impacting disposable income for Riverside residents compared to those in Pennsylvania.

Lifestyle trade-offs

These metros offer distinct lifestyles. Philadelphia experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters, and boasts a dense, walkable urban core with extensive public transit. Riverside, in contrast, has a warm, dry climate year-round, typical of Southern California, and is more car-dependent with a less dense urban fabric. Commute times are roughly similar, but the character of the journey differs.

Bottom line

For those considering a move, a household budget would stretch further in Philadelphia than in Riverside. The primary financial advantage of Philadelphia lies in its significantly lower housing costs, both for renters and homeowners. While some everyday expenses are similar, higher utility costs and a much greater state income tax in California mean that the overall financial outlay in Riverside is notably larger.

Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Riverside home with the True Cost Calculator.

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