City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 241, using 2022 FBI data for Orlando and 2024-2025 FBI data for Richmond.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
Safety is where Orlando and Richmond split most clearly. Richmond scores 73 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,747 in Orlando and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond costs less and Orlando 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
Orlando and Richmond are 663 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $375 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $64,587 in Richmond, down $7,749 (11%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 169 in Richmond, down 73 points (30%).
The move
Richmond and Orlando are 663 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $375 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $72,336 in Orlando, up $7,749 (12%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 242 in Orlando, up 73 points (43%).
Orlando, FL
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 Orlando and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Richmond rent is 21% cheaper than Orlando
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Richmond is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $375/month back in your pocket ($4,500/year). Over five years that's $22,500 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 Orlando, 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
12% higher
Orlando's median income is 12% higher than Richmond
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Orlando (about $7,749 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, Orlando 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
30% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 30% lower than Orlando
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% 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. Orlando can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Orlando weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Orlando averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Orlando sits near 71°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. Orlando 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 12% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°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 21% 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 30% lower than Orlando (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Richmond leads on safety (44/100 vs 33/100 in Orlando). Typical rent is $1,372 in Richmond and $1,747 in Orlando; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Orlando still pays more locally ($72,336 median income vs $64,587), which can offset the lease if your field pays Orlando rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Orlando and 57°F in Richmond.
Between Orlando and Richmond, Richmond is ahead on safety — 44/100 safety versus 33/100. Lean Orlando instead when you already know the Orlando block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Orlando and Richmond, plus other cities in FL and VA.
