New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Richmond
8.6%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 8.6% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 30.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.1% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 10.3% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $374,265 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Richmond
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.9% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 58.9°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 23.6 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
New Haven, CT vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Haven, CTChicago, IL vs New Haven, CTHouston, TX vs New Haven, CTNew Haven, CT vs Phoenix, AZNew Haven, CT vs Philadelphia, PA