Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Richmond to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median income ($81,332 vs $64,587) and higher median home value ($420,700 vs $353,000) than Richmond, but also higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,372). Phoenix residents face a longer average commute (28 vs 23 minutes). While Phoenix applies a modeled 2.50% state income tax in the calculator, Richmond’s tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing Phoenix’s stronger income and home equity against its higher housing costs and commute time, with tax treatment differing by city due to data availability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → RichmondMoving from Richmond to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$210/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$2,520 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 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 → PHX
56/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$7,064after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Richmond is about $2,520 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Richmond gross rent$1,372
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Richmond | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 229,359 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $64,587 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,372 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $353,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Richmond and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Average one-way commute time
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has a higher median household income according to the 2024 ACS?
Phoenix has a higher median household income at $81,332 compared to Richmond’s $64,587, based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates from Table B19013.
How do median gross rents compare between the two cities?
Phoenix’s median gross rent is $1,582 per month, which is $210 higher than Richmond’s $1,372, according to the 2024 ACS 5-year data from Table B25064.
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.