City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
Raleigh and Riverside are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,914 in Riverside, and median household income lands at $85,395 versus $91,045. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh costs less and Riverside pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Raleigh and Riverside are 2,187 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $342 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $91,045 in Riverside, up $5,650 (7%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 158 in Riverside, up 16 points (11%).
The move
Riverside and Raleigh are 2,187 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $342 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $5,650 (6%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 142 in Raleigh, down 16 points (10%).
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Riverside, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Raleigh and Riverside? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 18% cheaper than Riverside
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Raleigh is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,104, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Raleigh still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Riverside.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Riverside's median income is 7% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Riverside (about $5,650 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
10% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 10% lower than Riverside
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Riverside. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Riverside weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Riverside
Winner77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Riverside sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Riverside scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Riverside (142 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 7% higher ($91,045), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,914/month rent in Riverside at 77°F versus $1,572 in Raleigh at 60°F. Income runs $91,045 vs $85,395, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Riverside still pays more locally ($91,045 median income vs $85,395), which can offset the lease if your field pays Riverside rates.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Raleigh and 46/100 in Riverside.
Riverside wins on climate (77°F vs 60°F); Raleigh is the better fit if $1,572 rent and $85,395 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Raleigh when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Riverside, plus other cities in NC and CA.
