Charlotte, NC vs Riverside, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Riverside leads in walk score (43 vs 26). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 140). Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $71,659).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 897,720 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 16.2 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+1.3 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →
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