How much does it cost to rent in Riverside, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Riverside, CA is $2,420. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Riverside cheaper than other California cities?

Riverside is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #277 out of 387 cities at $2,420/mo.

When was Riverside rent data last updated?

Riverside rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Riverside

Name: Average Rent Prices in Riverside, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 319,069·277th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Riverside, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,420/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.7%

Month-over-Month

+1.6%

vs US Median

+$455

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Riverside · $2,420

More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

68/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Riverside's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,420/mo

Expected by trend

$2,653/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Riverside's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,001

1 BR

$2,089

2 BR

$2,599

3 BR

$3,469

4 BR+

$4,220

Research median

$2,599/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$29,040/yr

At $2,420/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.7% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Riverside, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 25.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

319,069

Median income

$91,045

Median age

33.6

Renters

43.2%

Age distribution

23.1%

29%

25.7%

Under 1823.1%

18–3429%

35–5425.7%

55–6410.3%

65+12%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

32.9%

55.6%

White32.9%

Black6.3%

Hispanic55.6%

Asian8.2%

Education (25+)

16.8%

29%

28.5%

25.7%

No HS diploma16.8%

HS diploma29%

Some college28.5%

Bachelor's+25.7%

Housing tenure

56.8%

43.2%

Owner56.8%

Renter43.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Riverside, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,809 → $2,420

up 33.8%

Income

$76,755 → $91,045

up 18.6%

Population

314,858 → 319,069

up 1.3%

Renter share

44.3% → 43.2%

-1.1 pts

Bachelor's+

23.9% → 25.7%

+1.8 pts

Median age

31.9 → 33.6

+1.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Riverside, CA has shifted from $1,809 to $2,420, up 33.8% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $76,755 to $91,045 across the same window, up 18.6% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Riverside, CA adding about 4,211 residents over the five-year window, up 1.3% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Riverside, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Riverside

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View Riverside rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Riverside on your salary?

At $2,420/mo, how Riverside rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 26% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 36.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 31.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 13.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 39.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 43.4% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 35.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Riverside rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Riverside. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Riverside

About renting in Riverside, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Riverside is $2,420/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,001/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,599/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,089/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,469/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($91,045/yr), Riverside ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverside an affordable city for renters?

Riverside is considered moderate for renters. At $2,420/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($91,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Riverside slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Riverside?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,420/mo in Riverside. The local median household income is $91,045/yr, meaning the typical Riverside household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Riverside?

Rent in Riverside has increased 4.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Riverside neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Riverside are 92504 ($2,261/mo), 92501 ($2,359/mo), and 92507 ($2,373/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Riverside is $2,420/mo.

How does Riverside rent compare to other cities in California?

Riverside is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #277 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,420/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Riverside?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Riverside ($2,420/mo): Colton ($1,929/mo), Grand Terrace ($2,051/mo), Moreno Valley ($2,364/mo).

What percentage of Riverside residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.2% of Riverside households are renters, while 56.8% are owner-occupied. Riverside leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Riverside rent compare to the national average?

Riverside's median rent of $2,420/mo is $455 (23%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #277 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $2,420/mo, rent takes ~32% of Riverside's median household income ($91,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Riverside 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Riverside affordability calculator →

Nearby cities