Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boca Raton, FL
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Boca Raton leads 18 of 22 categories
Boca Raton
Florida
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,570 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
45 ✓ Safer
Population
97,980
Richmond
California
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boca Raton, FL
Pros
81% less violent crime than Richmond
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 59.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (171.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 58°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,170/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Richmond, CA
Pros
Rent averages $317/mo less ($1,853 vs $2,170)
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Property crime (2762.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Boca Raton
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 111.8 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Boca Raton
Median Income
$8,952
$95,570 vs $86,618/yr
Boca Raton
Violent Crime
81% lower
171.0 vs 923.1 per 100k
Boca Raton
Median Home Value
$28k less
$597,100 vs $624,800
Boca Raton
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.9% unemployment
Boca Raton
Summer Heat
19.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 70.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $597,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,170⚠ High | $1,853⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,570 ✓ Higher | $86,618 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.0% ✓ Higher | 11.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 59 ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 45 ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.0% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 96.0% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PALM BEACH | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer | 58.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 65.6" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 97,980 | 115,619 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 47.1 ✓ Older | 37.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.7% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| Under 18 | 17.0% | 21.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 25.7% ✓ More | 14.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boca Raton's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Boca Raton is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Boca Raton leads 18 of 22 categories. Boca Raton wins 18 and Richmond wins 4. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Boca Raton to Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($597,100 vs $624,800 median home), income ($95,570 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boca Raton, FL and Richmond, CA are about 2,573 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.