Richmond VA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 209,720 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 41.5% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 37.5% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $46,628 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $30,451 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.9% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 26.6% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 29.9% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 37.2% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 38.0% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.6% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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