2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palo Alto, CA vs Riverside, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Riverside or is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto?
- Riverside is 43.2% less expensive than Palo Alto.

Which city has more affordable housing, Riverside or Palo Alto?
- Riverside housing costs are 84.4% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto or is Health Care more affordable in Riverside.
- Health related expenses are 18.9% less in Riverside.
 Palo Alto, CARiverside, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries124.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing1,139.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$590,700$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock146.1100
 Miscellaneous156.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

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Start Your Review of Palo Alto

Reviews for Riverside    42 Reviews

I've lived in Riverside for 54 years. It changed a LOT when people from LA started moving here in droves. Still, I have never been robbed or assaulted but I am  More

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I'm from Orange County (OC). I have had nothing but trouble since moving to Riverside. 1. The dogs are aggressive guard dogs. If you want to walk or bike you  More

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Over 7 years ago

Whew where to begin with dear old riverside. I enjoyed growing up here until my high school years (back in 2011). In 7 short years the downward deterioration of the  More

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