Atlanta GA vs Riverside CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 316,241 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.9% | 39.2% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $33,716 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 25.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $648,603 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.6% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 34.1 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA