Richmond VA vs Riverside 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $33,716 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 25.7% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $648,603 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Riverside
36.7%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.7% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.6% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 66.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 34.1 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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