CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs Riverside, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Riverside
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Midland is moderately cheaper than Riverside — 11.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $88,800 in Riverside. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+27.4%
Midland
101.5
Riverside
129.3
🛒 Groceries+8.1%
Midland
93.8
Riverside
101.4
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Midland
101.1
Riverside
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Midland
91.4
Riverside
96.2
Utilities+78.6%
Midland
83.2
Riverside
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Midland to see what you'd need to earn in Riverside to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$88,800
$8,800 more needed in Riverside

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1106. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Riverside, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Riverside has 27.4% higher housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Riverside, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
314,998
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducationRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Riverside, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.