New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Richmond
8.6%
White
New York
35.9%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
New York
22.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 227,595 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 8.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 22.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 2.1% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 10.3% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $62,671 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $44,249 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 18.8% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.7% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.3% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 58.9°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | New York, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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