Richmond VA vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 68,141 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.1 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 43.2% | 17.9% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 5.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $523,551 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 36.0 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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