2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Riverside

California (CA)

Best for: Families and professionals who want Southern California access, a real historic core and lower housing costs than coastal Los Angeles or Orange County.

2027 CITY CLASSLarge City300,000–999,999 residents

Modern Livability77.5/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population323,057

Median Home$552,000

Median Rent$1,785

Median Household Income$84,600

Cost of Living~108.0 (US=100; 2024 metro/region)

Average Commute30.7 min

Unemployment~5.1% metro (2026)

Metro AreaRiverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

77.5overall

Housing & Financial Reality58.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living66.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability70.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity84.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness84.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place86.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion55.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape88.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging94.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment83.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture84.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity85.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate to high. Regional growth, freeway dependence or long cross-city trips create noticeable daily friction.

Weekend EscapeExcellent. Parks, water, mountains or regional recreation provide multiple realistic day-trip options.

WalkabilityAbout 42/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects everyday convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent regional air access, with a major commercial airport available within a practical drive.

Outdoor AccessExcellent. Parks, trails and regional natural assets provide strong year-round recreation.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Major hospital systems provide practical emergency, primary and specialty care.

Air QualityA meaningful quality-of-life tradeoff. Ozone, particulate pollution, dust or wildfire smoke can create repeated unhealthy periods.

Third Places / Social LifeGood. Everyday social options are available, though the network of third places is less dense than in stronger cultural cities.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Riverside is the #61 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates and stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for relative southern california value; historic downtown; universities; healthcare; regional job access; mountains nearby. The score balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its clearest tradeoffs are heat; regional traffic; air quality; long commutes; car dependence.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Riverside feels like a large inland city with a distinct historic downtown, citrus-era architecture and close access to mountain and desert recreation.

STRENGTHS