City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Fresno and Richmond are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,421 in Fresno and $1,372 in Richmond, and median household income lands at $70,991 versus $64,587. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond costs less and Fresno 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Fresno and Richmond are 2,311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $49 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $64,587 in Richmond, down $6,404 (9%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 169 in Richmond, down 26 points (13%).
The move
Richmond and Fresno are 2,311 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $49 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $70,991 in Fresno, up $6,404 (10%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 195 in Fresno, up 26 points (15%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Richmond rent is 3% cheaper than Fresno
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Richmond is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $49, or $588 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Fresno's median income is 10% higher than Richmond
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Fresno (about $6,404 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 13% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% 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 Fresno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Fresno scores 28% 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 10% higher ($70,991), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°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 3% 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 13% lower than Fresno (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
Weather separates these metros: $1,421/month rent in Fresno at 74°F versus $1,372 in Richmond at 57°F. Income runs $70,991 vs $64,587, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Richmond rent at $1,372/month is still below Fresno's $1,421, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $64,587 in Richmond.
Fresno wins on climate (74°F vs 57°F); Richmond is the better fit if $1,372 rent and $64,587 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
Ready to move to Richmond?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Richmond, plus other cities in CA and VA.
