Head-to-Head · City Comparison
New Haven, CT
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 New Haven leads 14 of 23 categories
New Haven
Connecticut
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,305
Violent Crime Index
141⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,736 ✓ Larger
Richmond
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
New Haven, CT
Pros
Homes cost $388k less ($236,500 vs $624,800)
42% less violent crime than Richmond
Rent averages $451/mo less ($1,402 vs $1,853)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 38.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Richmond by $32,313/yr
Violent crime (534.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3587.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.9%)
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $32,313 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 38°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 82°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Cost of living runs 20% higher than New Haven
Key Differences at a Glance
New Haven
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 98.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
New Haven
Violent Crime
42% lower
534.8 vs 923.1 per 100k
New Haven
Median Home Value
$388k less
$236,500 vs $624,800
New Haven
Summer Heat
11.3°F warmer
July avg high 82.1°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$32,313
$86,618 vs $54,305/yr
Richmond
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.9% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.6 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $236,500 ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,402⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,305 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.6% ✓ Higher | 11.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 141⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 171⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 38.5% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 85.7% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | New Haven School District | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.1°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.1°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,736 ✓ Larger | 115,619 |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.6% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 21.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
New Haven's cost of living index is 98.6 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
New Haven is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Haven leads 14 of 23 categories. New Haven wins 14 and Richmond wins 9. 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 New Haven to Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($236,500 vs $624,800 median home), income ($54,305 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
New Haven, CT and Richmond, CA are about 2,605 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.