Median rent is 11% lower in Riverside ($1,914/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Riverside, where the median home runs $584,800 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $91,045 a year). Taken together, Riverside is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 107.3 against 110.4 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Cost of living verdict
Riverside is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 107.3 in Riverside vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$72,926
You could earn $2,074 less (3% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Riverside
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Riverside at $1,914/mo compared to $2,147/mo in Boston (11% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $731,700 in Boston and $584,800 in Riverside.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Riverside
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Riverside if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 107.3 vs 110.4).
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Riverside if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,914/mo median).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Is Boston cheaper than Riverside?
Riverside is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 107.3 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Riverside.
How much is rent in Boston vs Riverside?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,914/mo in Riverside, CA. Riverside, CA has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Riverside?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $91,045 in Riverside, CA. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Riverside?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Riverside to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $97,235 in Riverside, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
