Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.2% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 25.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $648,603 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 66.8°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 34.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus 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). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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