Richmond VA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 221,774 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 43.2% | 27.6% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 11.8% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $23,980 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.5% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 12.8% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $492,059 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, 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%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 37.1% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.6% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 20.2% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 30.7 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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