Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 115,396 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 63.1% | 21.4% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 17.3% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 32.6% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $608,357 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 52.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 37.7 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Louisville, KY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Louisville, KYChicago, IL vs Louisville, KYHouston, TX vs Louisville, KYLouisville, KY vs Phoenix, AZLouisville, KY vs Philadelphia, PA