Richmond VA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 186,419 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 43.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 42.0% | 7.8% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $42,371 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $468,328 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 41.6% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 71.3°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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