Richmond CA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Richmond
21.4%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 24.8% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 17.3% | 5.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 29.6% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $1,006,261 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 47.6% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 61.6°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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