This article compares the lifestyle, amenities, and utilities in North Coast, CA and Riverside, CA, highlighting factors such as crime & safety, weather, cost of living, education, and health care. The comparison will help potential relocators or tourists decide which of these cities aligns best with their desired lifestyle. While North Coast, known for its natural beauty and cooler climate, offers a peaceful, less crowded environment, Riverside, amidst a bustling metropolitan area, comes with its own set of perks such as warmer weather and a broader range of job opportunities.
North Coast generally has a lower crime rate when compared with Riverside. Most of the crime is related to property rather than violent offenses. The sense of community is strong, and the diligent local police force makes residents feel safe. On the other hand, Riverside does have a higher crime rate compared with the national average. However, the crime rates vary by neighborhood, and it has observed a decreasing crime rate over the years.
Cost of Living
Living in North Coast can be more expensive than Riverside. Housing is the main factor driving the cost of living index, with other factors including groceries, health, and transportation also contributing. Riverside, with its slightly lower housing costs and cost of living, may be a better option for budget-conscious individuals.
Income Tax
The income tax is identical in both regions as it is governed by state law. California has a progressive income tax which means rates increase as income increases.
Property Tax
Property tax rates are similar for both North Coast and Riverside, as these rates are set at the county-level and both places fall under California jurisdiction. However, the actual property tax paid would vary due to differences in property values.
Sales Tax
Both North Coast and Riverside share the same sales tax rate as per California law, currently set at 7.25%. Local taxes may increase this base rate depending on the city and county.
Income
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Estimated median household income
$102,807
$76,558
Estimated per capita income
$50,809
$29,013
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
83
If you make $50,000 in Riverside, you will have to make $57,892 in North Coast to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
North Coast boasts a diverse terrain with coastline, redwood forests, and mountains providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Riverside, inland and surrounded by mountains, is characterized by rolling hills and steep terrains, offering a different set of outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Land area
59.4 sq. miles
78.1 sq. miles
Population density
6,335.5 people per sq. mile
4,062.3 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
North Coast, CA Riverside, CA
Education
Both North Coast and Riverside offer access to excellent educational opportunities. There are numerous highly-rated public and private schools in both regions. Riverside has the benefit of hosting several universities and colleges, including the University of California, Riverside. The North Coast also has quality education institutions but they are fewer in comparison.
North Coast’s economy is based largely on tourism, fishing, and winemaking. Riverside, a part of the Greater Los Angeles area, has a more diverse economy, with notable sectors being manufacturing, retail, and health care. The unemployment rate in Riverside is generally lower than in North Coast, providing more job opportunities for residents.
Biggest Employers
In North Coast, the biggest employers are Mendocino Coast District Hospital, Fort Bragg Unified School District, and Mendocino Unified School District. In Riverside, top employers include UC Riverside, Riverside Unified School District, and Riverside County Regional Medical Center.
In North Coast (Orange County), 45.8% voted for Democrats and 52.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Riverside (Riverside County), 49.6% voted for Democrats and 48.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
2020
53.6%
53.0%
44.6%
45.0%
1.8%
2.0%
2016
50.9%
49.7%
42.4%
44.4%
6.7%
5.9%
2012
45.8%
49.6%
52.0%
48.0%
2.3%
2.4%
2008
47.8%
50.4%
50.3%
48.1%
1.9%
1.5%
2004
39.3%
41.3%
60.2%
58.2%
0.5%
0.6%
2000
40.4%
45.0%
55.9%
51.6%
3.7%
3.4%
1996
37.9%
43.0%
51.7%
45.6%
10.5%
11.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
CATHOLIC CHURCH
26.5%
27.5%
4.4%
4.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.3%
1.2%
8.8%
11.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
0.5%
1.3%
0.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.6%
0.3%
2.0%
1.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
1.4%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.3%
2.3%
1.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
1.3%
3.4%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.3%
0.2%
0.7%
Weather
North Coast has a moderate Mediterranean-like climate with cool, wet winters and dry summers. The temperature averages in the 60s throughout the year. In contrast, Riverside experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers reaching up to the low 90s and cool winters. Precipitation is significantly lower in Riverside than in North Coast.
Weather and climate
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Temperature - Average
64.4°F
66°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
70.2%
66.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.7%
21.4%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
78.7%
73.5%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
52.1%
Precipitation - Yearly average
13 in
10.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.5%
27.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
78.4%
78.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21.9%
21.5%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
84.9%
84.2%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
62.9%
62.6%
Wind speed - Average
6 mph
4.5 mph
Average climate in North Coast, California
Average climate in Riverside, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
North Coast
Riverside
2018
119
153
0.35
0.35
14.4
14.4
26.1
29.8
N/A
0.006
27.5
44.6
12.6
13.6
0.7
0.4
2017
116
151
0.34
0.34
13.8
14.7
28.8
31.5
N/A
0.004
26.7
48.4
13.8
14.8
0.5
0.3
2016
102
140
0.33
0.33
12.2
14.8
29.3
30.9
N/A
0.006
24.1
44.4
12.5
14.5
0.2
0.2
2015
106
147
0.32
0.33
13.2
14.5
29.8
30.8
N/A
0.004
25.0
43.6
14.5
15.4
0.2
0.3
2014
110
147
0.29
0.37
12.9
15.9
28.6
30.7
N/A
0.006
26.7
34.1
15.5
16.5
0.4
0.3
2013
107
147
0.34
0.38
13.9
16.4
27.8
29.2
0.003
0.006
29.5
33.2
14.2
16.4
0.3
0.2
2012
103
148
0.30
0.35
12.7
16.4
26.8
30.2
0.004
0.007
28.2
32.3
14.3
16.0
0.1
0.3
2011
109
150
0.31
0.37
14.7
16.3
27.0
32.0
0.006
0.006
27.7
33.1
15.9
15.2
0.7
0.3
2010
102
144
0.33
0.42
14.3
17.8
26.2
30.9
0.011
0.008
23.6
31.9
14.0
15.5
0.6
1.3
2009
118
151
0.35
0.37
15.5
20.0
27.6
29.0
0.009
0.009
24.3
38.0
14.5
19.6
1.1
1.5
2008
124
157
0.39
0.41
16.5
20.5
28.2
30.0
0.010
0.010
29.5
43.6
21.6
16.3
1.1
0.9
2007
100
135
0.36
0.65
16.3
20.8
27.0
28.3
0.012
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
1.6
2006
114
129
0.40
0.58
17.2
21.0
26.4
28.0
0.007
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.4
2005
95
134
0.39
0.53
17.7
22.8
27.9
27.3
0.012
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
3.3
2004
119
142
0.50
0.72
19.2
18.5
30.5
29.5
0.014
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
3.1
2003
122
144
0.64
0.75
21.9
22.7
28.9
28.5
0.030
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
2.0
2002
106
142
0.65
0.82
22.0
24.9
25.5
28.5
0.018
0.015
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
0.2
2001
116
145
0.73
0.79
22.0
25.7
25.4
26.1
0.033
0.025
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
0.9
2000
125
157
0.80
0.82
24.4
24.2
24.0
25.0
0.027
0.031
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.2
Natural disasters
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
18.6%
17.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
6,843.6%
7,322.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
46%
Transportation
North Coast has limited public transportation, making vehicle ownership almost a necessity. Riverside offers a more comprehensive public transit system, with buses, trains, and commuter services. It also has better commuting routes due to the proximity to major freeways.
Transport
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
0
307
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
15
Means of transportation to work
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Bicycle
0.7%
0.5%
Bus
1.2%
0.9%
Carpooled
10.7%
9%
Car alone
81.4%
85.7%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.3%
Railroad
0%
0.4%
Walked
1.4%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Average
28.8 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
Housing in North Coast might be more expensive due to its coastal location and the availability of ocean-view properties. In Riverside, properties tend to be more budget-friendly with a wider range of housing options including apartments, condos, and single-family homes.
Neighborhoods
North Coast has a few small towns and settlements with scenic views and peaceful neighborhoods. The close-knit community atmosphere is a highlight here. Riverside, on the other hand, offers a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its own unique ambiance, from suburban to urban, catering to all lifestyles.
Houses and residents
Type
North Coast
Riverside
Houses
137,450
94,246
Average household size (people)
2.7
3.2
Houses occupied
133,254 (96.9%)
91,110 (96.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
84,546 (63.4%)
51,211 (56.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
48,708 (36.6%)
39,899 (43.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,340
$1,277
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,099,558
$414,585
Estimated median house or condo value
$883,291
$483,300
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.1
6.1
Renting percentage
37.7%
44.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,312.7
1,206.8
Household income disparities
41.2%
40.5%
Housing units without a mortgage
13,396 (19.5%)
393 (1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
282 (0.4%)
1,312 (3.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
55,188 (80.5%)
39,744 (99%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
6,297 (9.2%)
123 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
7,643 (11.1%)
2,112 (5.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1%
2.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
15,532
8,164
State government workers
5,751
8,293
Unpaid family workers
744
199
Industries and Occupations
North Coast primarily focuses on fishing, winemaking, and tourism industries, offering significant opportunities in these sectors. Occupations are mostly related to these areas, along with education and health. Conversely, Riverside's job market revolves around the health, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Its proximity to Los Angeles also provides more diverse job opportunities.
Both North Coast and Riverside offer good healthcare facilities. North Coast emphasizing more on community healthcare centers, while Riverside, with its robust healthcare industry, boasts a more comprehensive network with advanced hospitals and specialty centers.
Health (county statistics)
Type
North Coast
Riverside
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
North Coast has fairly developed infrastructure, with most areas having good access to utilities and services. However, due to its larger area and relatively more remote location, some parts aren’t as developed. Riverside, being part of a metro area, has a well-developed and comprehensive infrastructure, be it in terms of utilities, public services, or internet connectivity.
Infrastructure
Type
North Coast
Riverside
TV stations
2
5
Culture and Food
North Coast offers a unique mixture of hippie and rural culture, with an emphasis on outdoor living and a slow-paced lifestyle. Cuisine tends to be local, fresh, and seafood-based. Riverside, on the other hand, offers a mix of California urban culture, with a wide variety of cuisines present and a more fast-paced lifestyle expected in large cities.
Sports Teams
There are no professional sports teams in the North Coast. Sports enthusiasts there usually support teams from San Francisco or Oakland. Riverside, being close to Los Angeles, provides residents the opportunity to support major LA-based teams across various sports including basketball, baseball, and football.
North Coast, CA
Riverside, CA
North Coast, CA and 
Riverside, CA : 38.2 miles
