City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Atlanta and Richmond is significant: $85,652 median household versus $64,587. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond costs less and Atlanta pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Richmond at $1,372 average has pockets that run $1,172 and others at $1,772: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Richmond are 469 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $339 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $64,587 in Richmond, down $21,065 (25%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 169 in Richmond, down 28 points (14%).
The move
Richmond and Atlanta are 469 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $339 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $21,065 (33%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 197 in Atlanta, up 28 points (17%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Richmond rent is 20% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Richmond is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,068, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Richmond still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Atlanta's median income is 33% higher than Richmond
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Atlanta (about $21,065 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
14% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 14% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Richmond. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Richmond, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Atlanta. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 14% more comfortable than Richmond
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 14% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Richmond if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 33% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Richmond is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Atlanta (169 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Richmond is cheaper on rent ($1,372/month vs $1,711), but Atlanta's $85,652 median income beats Richmond's $64,587 by 25%. Remote workers paid on Atlanta scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $64,587), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Safety scores read 39/100 in Atlanta and 44/100 in Richmond.
Atlanta leads on local pay ($85,652 median income vs $64,587), even though rent runs $1,711 versus $1,372 — skip Atlanta only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Richmond, plus other cities in GA and VA.
