Richmond VA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 43.2% | 36.8% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 12.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $42,300 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 36.4% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $480,548 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 61.0°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.0 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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