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Riverside vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Riverside, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 106.4 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $65,160 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $48,400 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $61,216 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $52,396 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $585,378 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $86,031 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 6.8 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 4,637,725 | 4,653,593 |
*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 Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Riverside to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.086.
| Salary in Riverside | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Riverside | $54,308 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Riverside | $81,462 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Riverside | $108,616 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Riverside | $162,924 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Riverside | $217,232 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Riverside and San Francisco
| Job | Riverside | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,430 | $38,810 | $33,286 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $139,570 | $193,430 | $131,123 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,250 | $44,620 | $38,753 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $126,430 | $177,240 | $118,778 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $136,670 | $176,900 | $128,399 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,230 | $47,290 | $38,735 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $38,650 | $43,260 | $36,311 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,180 | $56,950 | $45,264 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,160 | $51,280 | $43,366 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $73,830 | $110,360 | $69,362 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $44,240 | $48,720 | $41,563 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,660 | $46,460 | $42,897 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $42,090 | $50,270 | $39,543 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $43,350 | $47,210 | $40,726 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,800 | $120,780 | $86,244 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Riverside vs San Francisco: questions
Is Riverside more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 106.4 in Riverside, CA and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Riverside?
About $108,616, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Riverside or San Francisco?
San Francisco, 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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