Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 32.8% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 56.5% | 6.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $648,603 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.8°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 34.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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