Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Richmond to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median household income ($81,939 vs $64,587) and higher housing costs—median gross rent $1,933/month (vs $1,372) and median home value $921,200 (vs $353,000). Richmond offers lower housing costs relative to income, while Los Angeles provides higher earnings but at a significantly higher cost of housing. Commute times are longer in Los Angeles (33 minutes vs 23 minutes). California applies a 9.30% state income tax in the model, while Virginia’s rate is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing income gains against elevated housing and tax burdens in Los Angeles versus more affordable housing and shorter commutes in Richmond, with no universal winner due to differing household priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → RichmondMoving from Richmond to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$561/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$6,732 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+10 min / day
Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTRIC → LAX
39/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$4,764after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Richmond is about $6,732 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Richmond household income$64,587
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Richmond gross rent$1,372
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Richmond | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 229,359 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $64,587 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,372 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $353,000 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Richmond and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Richmond
Median rent is $1,372/month; median home value is $353,000.. Watch lower home values may reflect older housing stock or fewer amenities compared to higher-cost metros..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Richmond and Los Angeles relative to income?
Los Angeles has higher median gross rent ($1,933) and home value ($921,200) than Richmond ($1,372 rent, $353,000 home value), despite Los Angeles’ higher median income ($81,939 vs $64,587). Housing costs consume a larger share of income in Los Angeles.
What is the difference in commute times and tax treatment between the two cities?
Los Angeles has a longer average one-way commute (33 minutes) than Richmond (23 minutes). The model applies a 9.30% state income tax for Los Angeles, while Virginia’s state tax is excluded per current data boundaries and not inferred.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.