Richmond VA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 169,432 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 3.8% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.0% | 4.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 5.6% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $45,984 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $30,864 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.4% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 30.3% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 42.9% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 37.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.1% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 45.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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