Richmond, Virginia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Richmond.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Richmond?
Richmond planning snapshot: population 233,655, housing index 103 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $328,100, median rent $1,314, and income near $62,671. Expect 88°F summer highs, 30°F winter lows, and about 23-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 462.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 103U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $328,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,314U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $62,671U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 462.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Richmond compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 233,655City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $62,671Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 103ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg (100)U.S. 100 - Median home value
- $328,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,314City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5113% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 462.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)21% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3499.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)13% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 30°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 45.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals38% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 246As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Richmond grew 14.4% from 204,302 in 2010 to 233,655 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Richmond expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Richmond runs 3 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 103 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $328,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,314 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Richmond?
Budget first around $1,314/month rent or $328,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $328,100
- Median rent $1,314/month
- Median household income $62,671
What is the job market like in Richmond?
Labor-market context for Richmond: unemployment 4.3% and median income $62,671. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $62,671
How long is the typical commute in Richmond?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Richmond. Walk Score estimates around 51 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 51/100
Is Richmond safer than similar U.S. cities?
Richmond's FBI-derived violent rate (~462.9/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 462.9 per 100k
- Property 3499.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Richmond?
Richmond's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 30°F winter mornings, 45.5" annual rainfall, and 246 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 30°F
- 45.5 in rain · 246 sunny days
Federal-contractor suburbs and Atlantic coastal towns pull different budgets. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter lows around 30°F. Average one-way commute time is about 23 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 51/100. Labor-market readings near 4.3% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 462.9 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
About 233,655 people live in Richmond, VA. With median income around $62,671 and a cost index of 103, the market reads close to the national housing-cost baseline. Entry home prices around $328,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Richmond is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Richmond with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Richmond city, 1600000US5167000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Richmond city, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013740 RICHMOND INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10