Richmond CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 9.1% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 17.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 7.2% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 8.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.5% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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