Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 65.7% | 21.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $90,038 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $41,898 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 7.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 13.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 52.5% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 32.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 24.9 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 37.7 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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