Richmond CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 19.9% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 17.3% | 6.6% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 8.2% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $871,599 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 44.3% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.0% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 37.5 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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