Richmond VA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Richmond
227,595
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.9 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.1% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $580,173 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 41.1% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 24.0% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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