Richmond VA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.4 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 43.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 42.0% | 18.9% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 8.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.4% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $427,121 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Virginia Beach
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Virginia Beach
1726
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.0 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Richmond. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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