Richmond VA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.1 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 43.2% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 42.0% | 4.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 39.3% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $802,780 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 37.4 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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