Richmond CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
115,396
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Washington
13.3%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 13.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 17.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 4.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 11.6% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.5% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 41.1% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 24.0% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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