2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Riverside, CA vs Novato, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Novato or is it cheaper to live in Riverside?
- Novato is 75.4% more expensive than Riverside.

Which city has more affordable housing, Novato or Riverside?
- Novato housing costs are 97.9% more expensive than Riverside housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Riverside or is Health Care more affordable in Novato.
- Health related expenses are 26.1% more in Novato.
 Riverside, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries100.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing177.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,052,000$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock124.4100
 Miscellaneous112.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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