Richmond VA vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Richmond
43.2%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 42.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 5.1% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $55,279 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $38,947 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.8% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.2% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.8% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Richmond +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, 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
Richmond +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.0 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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