Richmond CA vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 8.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 17.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.2% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 20.0% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $46,628 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $30,451 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.9% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 26.6% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.9% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 37.2% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.0% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.6% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 34.3 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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