Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 227,595 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 8.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 43.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 10.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $62,671 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $374,265 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 43.5% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 43.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oklahoma City, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Oklahoma City, OKChicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OKHouston, TX vs Oklahoma City, OKOklahoma City, OK vs Phoenix, AZOklahoma City, OK vs Philadelphia, PA