Richmond CA vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 21.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 17.3% | 12.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 29.5% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $83,753 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.4% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 51.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Sacramento
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.9% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 61.0°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, CALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, CAChicago, IL vs Richmond, CAHouston, TX vs Richmond, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, CA