Richmond CA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 21.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 17.3% | 4.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 11.4% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 36.0% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $802,780 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 37.4 min | Santa Clarita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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