Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 8.6% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 43.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 44.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $374,265 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.7% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.3% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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