Richmond VA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 43.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 42.0% | 6.6% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 8.2% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $871,599 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.0% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.8 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, VALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, VAChicago, IL vs Richmond, VAHouston, TX vs Richmond, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, VA