Richmond CA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Richmond +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Richmond
21.4%
Richmond +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 68,141 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 42.1 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 21.4% | 17.9% | Richmond + |
| Black | 17.3% | 5.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 19.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Vallejo
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Vallejo
$523,551
Vallejo +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $523,551 | Vallejo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Vallejo
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Vallejo
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, 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%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
36.0 min
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 36.0 min | Vallejo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while vallejo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $523,551. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, CALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, CAChicago, IL vs Richmond, CAHouston, TX vs Richmond, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, CA