Balcones Heights, TX vs Riverside, TX

Balcones Heights, TX and Riverside, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Balcones Heights scores 79 while Riverside scores 81 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Balcones Heights is $927/month compared to $991/month in Riverside — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Balcones Heights has cheaper rent, Riverside actually has lower median home values ($192,900 vs $214,300).

Median household income in Balcones Heights is $28,082 compared to $67,917 in Riverside (-58.7%). While Riverside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Balcones Heights spend roughly 39.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Riverside. The Riverside ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.