Austin TX vs Richmond VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Richmond
34.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 227,595 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 43.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 10.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $62,671 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,249 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 44.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 43.5% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 43.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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