The Riverside metro is home to 4,637,725 people (up 2.6% over five years), with a median household income of $86,031. Typical rent of $2,533/month works out to 35.3% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Riverside's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 21.5% |
| Retail trade | 12.2% |
| Professional & management | 10.1% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.8% |
| Transportation & utilities | 9.7% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 35.3% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Riverside market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,533/month suggests a household income around $101,000/year. The metro's median household income is $86,031.
By workforce share: Education & health care (21.5%), Retail trade (12.2%), Professional & management (10.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).