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Riverside vs Washington: prices, pay and housing
| Riverside, CA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 106.4 | 108.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $65,160 | $91,930 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $48,400 | $71,060 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $61,216 | $84,429 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $52,396 | $68,657 |
| Typical home value | $585,378 | $583,013 |
| Median household income | $86,031 | $123,896 |
| Home price / household income | 6.8 | 4.7 |
| Metro population | 4,637,725 | 6,263,796 |
*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 Washington
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Riverside to Washington, multiply your salary by 1.023.
| Salary in Riverside | Same buying power in Washington |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Riverside | $51,147 in Washington |
| $75,000 in Riverside | $76,721 in Washington |
| $100,000 in Riverside | $102,294 in Washington |
| $150,000 in Riverside | $153,441 in Washington |
| $200,000 in Riverside | $204,588 in Washington |
Salaries for common jobs in Riverside and Washington
| Job | Riverside | Washington | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $126,430 | $163,620 | $118,778 / $150,270 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,960 | $113,390 | $73,242 / $104,138 |
| Software Developers | $139,570 | $153,100 | $131,123 / $140,608 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,230 | $39,600 | $38,735 / $36,369 |
| Management Analysts | $97,220 | $145,310 | $91,336 / $133,454 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,250 | $35,550 | $38,753 / $32,649 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $44,240 | $39,660 | $41,563 / $36,424 |
| Cashiers | $38,650 | $36,630 | $36,311 / $33,641 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,430 | $39,110 | $33,286 / $35,919 |
| Registered Nurses | $136,670 | $104,590 | $128,399 / $96,056 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,660 | $51,820 | $42,897 / $47,592 |
| Managers, All Other | $146,880 | $176,670 | $137,991 / $162,255 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,800 | $113,640 | $86,244 / $104,368 |
| Security Guards | $42,090 | $54,430 | $39,543 / $49,989 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,180 | $54,400 | $45,264 / $49,961 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Riverside vs Washington: questions
Is Riverside more expensive than Washington?
No. BEA prices are 106.4 in Riverside, CA and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in Riverside?
About $102,294, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Riverside or Washington?
Washington, DC: 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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