Los Angeles, CA vs Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 34% higher in Los Angeles, CA. Home prices in Los Angeles, CA run 81% higher.

$80,366
Income in Los Angeles
$53,134
Income in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
$1,879
Rent in Los Angeles
$1,087
Rent in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Los Angeles, CA
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA
Difference
Median Household Income
$80,366
$53,134
34% lower
Median Home Value
$879,500
$162,900
81% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,879
$1,087
42% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$2,055
$1,053
49% less
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
7.3%
8% less
Population
3,857,897
201,504

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Los Angeles, CA, renters allocate roughly 28.1% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, the figure is 24.5% , making Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Los Angeles, CA, that ratio is 10.9x. Homes cost 10.9 times the median annual income. In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, it's 3.1x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $2,055 in Los Angeles and $1,053 in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Los Angeles, CA is $80,366; in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA it is $53,134. That's a $27,232 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 7.9% in Los Angeles and 7.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 55.1% in Los Angeles versus 49.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance).

Population

Los Angeles, CA has a population of 3,857,897, making it the larger of the two cities. Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA has 201,504 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov