Richmond VA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 43.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 42.0% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 9.1% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $41,594 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Saint Paul
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 284 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1992 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.1 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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