Riverside vs Seattle: cost of living compared
Seattle is 31% more expensive than Riverside overall. Seattle (WA) has no state income tax; CA tops out around 9.3%.
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 from Riverside to Seattle generally means a considerably higher cost of living. The most significant difference stems from housing expenses, which are substantially greater in Seattle. While some other categories also show Seattle as more expensive, housing is the primary factor driving the overall cost disparity, making a move north a notable financial adjustment for many households.
Housing
Both buying and renting are noticeably more expensive in Seattle compared to Riverside. Median home prices in Seattle are significantly higher, as are typical rents for a one-bedroom apartment. Riverside tends to offer more traditional suburban housing styles, while Seattle often features denser urban living. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, impacting the total cost of homeownership in each metro.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for food, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods are somewhat higher in Seattle. Transportation costs are roughly similar, though Riverside's utilities are more expensive. A major difference impacting everyday finances is state income tax; Washington has no state income tax, while California has a significant one, which can mean more take-home pay for Seattle residents.
Lifestyle trade-offs
These metros offer distinct lifestyles. Riverside, with its warmer, drier climate, is characteristic of Southern California, often requiring more car dependency. Seattle, in contrast, has a cooler, wetter climate and a more developed public transit system, supporting a denser, more urban pace. Both regions experience similar average commute times, but the feel of daily travel and the surrounding environment differ considerably.
Bottom line
A move from Riverside to Seattle represents a substantial increase in financial outlay, primarily driven by the much higher housing market in Seattle. While some daily costs are comparable or even lower in Seattle (like utilities), the absence of state income tax there can offset some of the higher expenses. Households should carefully consider the significant difference in housing costs and the impact of state income tax when budgeting for a potential relocation.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 155 |
| Housing index | 134 | 192 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 123 |
| Food index | 105 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 122 | 105 |
| Misc index | 102 | 118 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $748,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,850/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 33 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Seattle home with the True Cost Calculator.