Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 227,595 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 8.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 6.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 10.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $62,671 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 43.5% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.9% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 43.6 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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