Cost of living index
Richmond, VA
97.9 / 100
Living in Richmond, VA is 2.1% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
97.9
Housing / rent
99.1
vs US average
−2.1%
What it costs to live in Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA has an overall price level of 97.9 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 2.1% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 99.1 it is 0.9% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Richmond, VA an expensive place to live?
Richmond, VA has an overall cost-of-living index of 97.9, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 2.1% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Richmond, VA?
Housing in Richmond, VA scores 99.1 against a US average of 100 — roughly 0.9% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Richmond, VA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Richmond, VA sit at 97.9 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 99.1. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.