Arvada CO vs Richmond CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 115,396 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 82.8% | 21.4% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $90,038 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $41,898 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.0% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 13.7% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 32.6% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.5% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 32.9% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.8% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.9% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 24.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 37.7 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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