Richmond VA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 105,460 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.1% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 42.0% | 1.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 7.5% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $35,235 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 24.8% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $414,734 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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