Richmond VA vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.2 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.1% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 42.0% | 2.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 7.8% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $38,200 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $400,636 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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