Nashville TN 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)
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
8.6%
White
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 227,595 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 43.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashville
$59,097
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,671 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,249 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashville
$436,355
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $436,355 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
639
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
2350
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
47.9 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashville
N/A
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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