Riverside

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Riverside, CA

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The thriving capital of Southern California’s Inland Empire

Mountains Outdoors College Town Historic Shopping

Situated about ninety minutes east of Los Angeles, the city of Riverside is a historic, picturesque community. As the largest city in the Inland Empire, Riverside is home to numerous colleges and universities, the most prominent being the University of California, Riverside, located on the northeast end of town at the foot of Box Springs Mountain.

Downtown Riverside features an array of entertainment options. Catch a live show at the Fox Center, explore an exhibit at the California Museum of Photography, or soak in the historic Spanish-style architecture that lines the residential streets of Riverside. This city hosts a variety of eclectic community events, from the annual Riverside Dickens Festival, celebrating the legendary author, to the March Field Airfest, also known as Thunder Over the Empire, at March Air Reserve Base.

The great outdoors are a major factor of why residents love living in Riverside. The California sunshine never fails to appear, whether you’re taking in the scenic views from Mount Rubidoux Park, enjoying the rides at Castle Park, or snow skiing at Big Bear, just an hour’s drive away from Riverside.

Rent Trends

As of February 2025, the average apartment rent in Riverside, CA is $1,488 for a studio, $1,836 for one bedroom, $2,240 for two bedrooms, and $2,629 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Riverside has increased by 0.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,836/month
693 Sq Ft
House
$3,507/month
1,781 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,216/month
952 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,138/month
1,020 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Riverside, CA

Transportation

54

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

29

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

53

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Riverside Stem Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

10
out of 10

Mark Twain Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

1,019 Students

8
out of 10

Benjamin Franklin Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

812 Students

8
out of 10

Lake Mathews Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

789 Students

7
out of 10

Magnolia Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

555 Students

7
out of 10

Riverside Stem Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

10
out of 10

Frank Augustus Miller Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

831 Students

7
out of 10

Amelia Earhart Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

798 Students

7
out of 10

Riverside Virtual

Public

Grades K-12

1,200 Students

6
out of 10

Sierra Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

830 Students

6
out of 10

Riverside Stem Academy

Public

Grades 5-12

669 Students

10
out of 10

Martin Luther King Jr. High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,901 Students

9
out of 10

Hillcrest High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,824 Students

8
out of 10

Polytechnic High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,660 Students

7
out of 10

Ramona High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,220 Students

6
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • California Citrus State Historical Park
  • UCR Botanic Gardens
  • Louis Robidoux Nature Center
  • Hidden Valley Nature Center
  • Mary Vagle Nature Center

Military Bases

Airports

  • Ontario International
  • John Wayne/Orange County

Top Apartments in Riverside

Houses for Rent in Riverside

Property Management Companies in Riverside, CA

Living in Riverside

Restaurants

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The city of Riverside offers a wide selection of restaurants and cuisines to satisfy any appetite. These include pizza places, Korean barbecue, Mexican food, Chinese food, All-American burger joints, sandwich shops, diners, fast food chains, and more. Some of the most popular eating locations in Riverside include Mario’s Place, Backstreet Restaurant, Burger Boss, The Salted Pig, and Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro. While the city provides a number of casual dining experiences, it also hosts a number of fine dining establishments that require a reservation in advance in order to enjoy the cuisine. If a night out doesn't sound appealing after a long day of work, Riverside is also home to a large number of grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores and mini marts that can provide the ingredients for a delicious homemade meal.