Augusta GA vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 135,983 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 32.8% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 56.5% | 17.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $26,955 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 11.6% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 12.4% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $397,983 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, 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
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 41.6 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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