Richmond CA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Richmond
21.4%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 6.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 17.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.4% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 5.1% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $55,279 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $38,947 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 19.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 45.4% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.8% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Richmond +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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