($1,200) Movers From Mesa, AZ to Riverside, CA

What to know before moving from Mesa to Riverside

Moving from Mesa to Riverside comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Riverside is generally more expensive than Mesa, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Riverside are 29% higher than in Mesa, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Mesa.
  Home prices in Riverside are 48.4% higher than in Mesa.
• Income in Riverside is 19.0% higher than in Mesa, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Riverside include Bourns, California Baptist University, and Riverside County Office of Education.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Riverside, since the cost of living for a single person in Riverside is 6.5% higher than in Mesa. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in Riverside and Mesa.
• The unemployment rate in Riverside is 16.39% higher than in Mesa.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Riverside, since the city’s sales taxes in Riverside are 5.42% higher than in Mesa.
• State income taxes in Riverside are 432.00% higher than in Mesa.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,194.95 in Riverside to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mesa.

How life is different in Mesa vs. Riverside

• Riverside might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 37% less than Mesa.
• Riverside offers better access to buses and trains than Mesa, based on public transportation ratings. Riverside has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 4 in Mesa. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Riverside means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Mesa. Riverside is considered more walkable than Mesa, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 38 out of 100 in Mesa. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Riverside, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Mesa. While Mesa has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, Riverside earned a 49. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Riverside has a lower crime rate than Mesa based on scores of 40.24 and Mesa's 44.67, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Riverside than in Mesa, based on Riverside’s safety index of 59.76 versus 55.33 for Mesa. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Riverside isn’t as good as it is in Mesa, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Riverside has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Mesa is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Mesa vs. Riverside move

• Weather: Riverside has hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Riverside. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Riverside

Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of Arts and Innovation", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Riverside.

Helpful moving resources