City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Richmond is significant: $94,718 median household versus $64,587. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Richmond are 1,487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $459 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $64,587 in Richmond, down $30,131 (32%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 169 in Richmond, down 102 points (38%).
The move
Richmond and Denver are 1,487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $459 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $94,718 in Denver, up $30,131 (47%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 271 in Denver, up 102 points (60%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Richmond rent is 25% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,831 in Denver, so Richmond is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $459/month back in your pocket ($5,508/year). Over five years that's $27,540 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Denver, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Richmond is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
47% higher
Denver's median income is 47% higher than Richmond
Denver
Winner$94,718
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Denver (about $30,131 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, Denver 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
38% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 38% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Richmond. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Richmond is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
18% more comfortable
Denver weather is 18% more comfortable than Richmond
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Denver scores 18% 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 47% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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 25% 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 38% lower than Denver (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
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Denver at $94,718 median income versus $64,587 in Richmond. Housing ($1,372 in Richmond, $1,831 in Denver) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $64,587), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.
Typical rent stays $1,372 in Richmond and $1,831 in Denver.
Denver clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Richmond deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,372/month beats chasing $94,718 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Richmond, plus other cities in CO and VA.
