Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Norwalk +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Richmond
13.1%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Richmond
46.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 115,396 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.6 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 24.0% | 21.4% | Norwalk + |
| Black | 4.2% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 13.1% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 46.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $90,038 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.0% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 13.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 52.5% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 32.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.8% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 24.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 37.7 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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