Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Richmond, CA
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 16 of 23 categories
Richmond
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619
Vancouver
Washington
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $12,992 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 81°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
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)
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Homes cost $221k less ($403,400 vs $624,800)
37% less violent crime than Richmond
Rent averages $328/mo less ($1,525 vs $1,853)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Cons
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Richmond by $12,992/yr
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Richmond
Median Income
$12,992
$86,618 vs $73,626/yr
Vancouver
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Vancouver
Violent Crime
37% lower
582.3 vs 923.1 per 100k
Vancouver
Median Home Value
$221k less
$403,400 vs $624,800
Vancouver
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Vancouver
Summer Heat
10.1°F warmer
July avg high 80.9°F vs 70.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $624,800⚠ High | $403,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,853⚠ High | $1,525⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,618 ✓ Higher | $73,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.6 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.2% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 198⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 243⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (86) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.0:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.1% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 79.4% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | West Contra Costa Unified | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 70.8°F | 80.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,619 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.3% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Richmond's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Vancouver is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 16 of 23 categories. Richmond wins 7 and Vancouver wins 16. 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 Richmond to Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($624,800 vs $403,400 median home), income ($86,618 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Richmond, CA and Vancouver, WA are about 531 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.