CostIndexUSA

Riverside, CA vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Riverside
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is significantly cheaper than Riverside — 15.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Riverside, you would need $67,300 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.3%
Riverside
129.3
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Riverside
101.4
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Riverside
106.3
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare5.0%
Riverside
96.2
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities43.4%
Riverside
148.6
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$67,300
$12,700 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.8412. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Riverside, CA

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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Riverside has 47.3% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

Income & Job Market

Riverside, CA

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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Riverside, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.