City Comparison
Folsom vs Riverside
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
California, USA
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VS
Riverside scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Folsom
Riverside
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Folsom | Riverside | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $2,269 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $420 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $190 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $240 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $3,249 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Riverside offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Folsom | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Folsom | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,500 minutes (258 hours) per year compared to Riverside.
Riverside scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Riverside leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Folsom | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | — | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverside is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Riverside is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Folsom | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 323,057 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 33.6 | |
| Unemployment | % | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Folsom
Riverside
Advantages
Median home prices and rents remain significantly more affordable in Riverside compared to coastal Southern California markets like Los Angeles and Orange County.
The city features prominent cultural landmarks and attractions, including the historic Mission Inn and the nationally renowned Festival of Lights.
Proximity to higher education powerhouses like UC Riverside drives local innovation, arts, and a young, dynamic demographic baseline.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are easily accessible, highlighted by Mount Rubidoux Park and regional wilderness reserves.
A strategic geographic location with robust freeway and rail connectivity links residents directly to major Southern California job centers.
Drawbacks
Regional air quality and summer ozone levels can be challenged by inland valley geography and heavy regional commuter traffic.
A considerable percentage of the local workforce commutes outside the city or county for employment, leading to heavy peak-hour freeway congestion.
Local summer temperatures frequently climb well above comfortable thresholds, driving up residential cooling and utility costs.
Overall cost of living indices remain higher than the national U.S. average, posing budget challenges for lower-income households.
Property crime rates in specific commercial corridors and transit-adjacent pockets require ongoing community and municipal intervention.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Riverside
#463California, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,269
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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