Richmond VA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 154,751 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 43.2% | 40.8% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 20.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $51,339 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $27,054 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 25.3% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 19.7% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 39.6% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.8% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.5% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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