Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Compton, CA
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Richmond leads 13 of 22 categories
Compton
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,728
Violent Crime Index
335⚠ High
Population
94,822
Richmond
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
115,619 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Compton, CA
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($489,400 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $389/mo less ($1,464 vs $1,853)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 58°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Cons
Violent crime (1271.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Richmond by $16,890/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (3145.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Richmond, CA
Pros
27% less violent crime than Compton
Households earn $16,890 more per year on average
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 77°F
Smaller class sizes — 22.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Compton
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Compton
Median Home Value
$135k less
$489,400 vs $624,800
Compton
Summer Heat
6.4°F warmer
July avg high 77.2°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$16,890
$86,618 vs $69,728/yr
Richmond
Violent Crime
27% lower
923.1 vs 1271.7 per 100k
Richmond
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Compton, CA | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $489,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,728 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.8 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 3.3% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 261⚠ High | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 335⚠ High | 243⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | C+ (86) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.0:1 | 22.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.4% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.8% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Compton Unified | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.3°F ✓ Warmer | 58.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 77.2°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.8" ✓ Drier | 24.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,822 | 115,619 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 21.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Compton's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Compton is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Richmond leads 13 of 22 categories. Compton wins 9 and Richmond wins 13. 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 Compton to Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($489,400 vs $624,800 median home), income ($69,728 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Compton, CA and Richmond, CA are about 363 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.