City comparison
Yes. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Plano and Richmond is significant: $112,253 median household versus $64,587. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $1,372 in Richmond.
Plano is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, 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 Plano is the stronger move.
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
Plano and Richmond are 1,127 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $469 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $64,587 in Richmond, down $47,666 (42%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 169 in Richmond, up 107 points (173%).
The move
Richmond and Plano are 1,127 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $469 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $112,253 in Plano, up $47,666 (74%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 62 in Plano, down 107 points (63%).
Plano, TX
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 Plano and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Richmond rent is 25% cheaper than Plano
Plano
$1,841/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,841 in Plano, so Richmond is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $469/month back in your pocket ($5,628/year). Over five years that's $28,140 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
74% higher
Plano's median income is 74% higher than Richmond
Plano
Winner$112,253
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 74% higher in Plano (about $47,666 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, Plano 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
63% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 63% lower than Richmond
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in Plano. 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, Plano is the easier city. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Plano weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
Plano
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Plano averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Plano sits near 65°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. Plano 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 74% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than Richmond (62 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Richmond
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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Plano: Plano scores 75/100 versus 44/100 in Richmond, with typical rent at $1,841 versus $1,372. I would vet the exact ZIP in Richmond before trading 31 safety points for housing savings.
Richmond rent at $1,372/month is still below Plano's $1,841, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,372 in Richmond and $1,841 in Plano.
Pick Plano when you want the stronger safety signal (75/100). Otherwise, Richmond's case rests on a Richmond ZIP you trust at $1,372 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Plano and Richmond, plus other cities in TX and VA.
