Richmond CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 17.3% | 5.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 42.7% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $54,546 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $31,152 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 30.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 51.7% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 69.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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