City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
Oklahoma City 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 $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $1,372 in Richmond, and median household income lands at $68,656 versus $64,587. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Oklahoma City is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Richmond makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Oklahoma City is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Richmond are 1,121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $242 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $64,587 in Richmond, down $4,069 (6%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 169 in Richmond, down 14 points (8%).
The move
Richmond and Oklahoma City are 1,121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $242 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, up $4,069 (6%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 14 points (8%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 18% cheaper than Richmond
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,372 in Richmond, so Oklahoma City is 18% 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 $2,904, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Oklahoma City still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Richmond.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Oklahoma City's median income is 6% higher than Richmond
Oklahoma City
Winner$68,656
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $68,656 in Oklahoma City versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Oklahoma City (about $4,069 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
8% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 8% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% 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 Oklahoma City. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 14% more comfortable than Richmond
Oklahoma City
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oklahoma City 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
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 6% higher ($68,656), 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 better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Oklahoma City (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,130/month in Oklahoma City versus $1,372 in Richmond. Median income reads $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $64,587 in Richmond, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety scores read 42/100 in Oklahoma City and 44/100 in Richmond.
Pick Oklahoma City when shaving $242 off rent at $1,130/month is the priority. Otherwise, Richmond's case rests on $1,372/month rent with $64,587 local income.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Oklahoma City and 57°F in Richmond.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Oklahoma City when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Richmond, plus other cities in OK and VA.
