Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 227,595 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 8.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 43.2% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 2.1% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.3% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $62,671 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $44,249 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 44.1% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 43.5% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.7% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.3% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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