From stunning sights in the Bay Area to beautiful park experiences and fine dining, life in Richmond, California, is pretty much a desire — maybe not by many.
Forget the despair and sad speeches about crime for a moment—every city has its fair share. Moving to Richmond, CA, has many benefits, and depending on your neighborhood, it makes living here worthwhile.
As neighboring cities like Oakland and Berkeley continue to absorb more of the expensive taste that comes with living in California, Richmond starts to feel extra magnetic.
Before you pack those bags and head to Richmond to experience its cultural charm, let’s get you up to speed on what it feels like to be there.
Have Enough in the Bank: Quite Expensive
It’s California, and as such, you should expect nothing less! While it’s not at the San Francisco or Los Angeles level of expensive, your bills will still stack up to a fortune.
Luckily, if you’re moving to Richmond, CA, from within the state, there’s a glimmer of hope for your savings! Living costs just edge over the state average, but on a national scale, they’re steeply higher by 26%.
| Living Costs | Compared to National Average |
| Housing | 43% higher |
| Utilities | 40% higher |
| Groceries | 17% higher |
| Transportation | 33% higher |
Here’s what any honest local or Richmond, CA, moving company will tell you: buying a house or renting any Richmond, CA, apartments will dig deep into your pockets, but you do get some options—if that’s any consolation.
- Average House Rent: $2,814
- Median Home Value: $646,211
- 1-year Change: +1.7%
Good Employment Opportunities: Just Not Enough
Richmond’s higher-than-national average unemployment rate of 5.1% can really put potential migrants off, but it doesn’t paint the picture well enough.
Richmond’s economy is fueled by the healthcare, retail, education, and petrochemical industries, which account for the largest employers in the state.
While not many of the 116,448 residents of this city find it easy to secure a job, those who do receive a median household income of $88,594.
Some of the biggest employers in the areas of Richmond include:
- Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
- West Contra Costa Unified School District
- Social Security Administration
- Chevron Corporation
- Amazon Services
- UPS
Schools: Good, Poor, Average?
The best way to regard the schools in Richmond, California, is by calling them what they are — that’s average!
Sure, there are good ones in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, but most of them are pretty average or poor. Plus, there are really no colleges or universities in Richmond precisely; however, some notable few are in neighboring cities.
If you’re moving to Richmond, CA, with your kids, is the school here the best for them?
Well, it depends on which one you pick. A lot of the schools here get bad media, however, the good ones include:
- Madera Elementary School
- Middle College High School
- El Cerrito High School
- Making Waves Academy
- Summit Public School: Tamalpais
About the Weather
Well, Richmond pretty much brings the same weather package as the California climate.
The temperature doesn’t get too hot in the summer, and you don’t experience that extreme cold in the winter. On average, the temperature settles around the low 50s and high 60s all year.
Of course, there are those sunny days with over 80°, but not so much. Also, winter does not necessarily mean snow in Richmond, so you can perhaps forget the shovels while coming here.
Note:
It will get wet — about 25 inches of annual rainfall.
The Food Culture: Best Spots
If you’re not getting your hands busy in the kitchen, then allow your mouth to water with the tasty cuisines of Richmond. It’s a city with a rich history and a flair for savory Mexican dishes and signature drinks.
While San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley get the most attention for quality restaurants, Richmond still has a good number of offerings.
For instance:
- Mi Casa Grill — serving the best Mexican comfort meals
- That Luang Kitchen Lao Cuisine — get satisfying noodle dishes and soups
- Raymond’s Pizzeria — offering the finest fermented-crust pizzas
- El Garage — taste the meaty quesabirria tacos dipped in perfect beef side consomme
The Fun Parts of Richmond
Beyond the cultural appeal and amazing dining options, there are a lot more exciting and entertaining activities to engage in while living in Richmond.
Here are some of the fun parts of the city that will make life in this part of California even better.
- A visit to the Richmond Art Center for unique viewings of exhibitions and educational programs.
- Catch live shows and performances at The Craneway Pavilion.
- Take a tour of The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity and discover historic designs from Ray and Charles Eames.
- Enjoy the nice bay view as you hike and bike through the Wildcat Canyon Regional Park paths.
- Shop for the best contemporary work from global artists at Mom and Pop Art Shop.
- Go back in time with a visit to Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front with your kids and family.
- You can fish, hike, camp, or walk your dog at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline while enjoying stunning views of the Marin shoreline, Mt. Tamalpais, and Sam Pablo Bay.
Hold Onto Your Purses
Is Richmond, CA, ghetto?
Can you consider raising a child in the city?
Is Richmond, California, safe?
Whatever you have heard about the crime rate and gangs, it’s probably true!
The city is a hub for criminal activities and is only about 6% safer than most other areas in the U.S. Of course, not every corner or drive-through puts you at risk of being a victim, but a large percentage of the neighborhoods possess high crime rates.
On average, your chances of being a victim of violent or property crimes is 1 in 27.
| per 1,000 residents | Richmond Average | California Average | National Average |
| Violent Crime | 8.85 | 4.99 | 4.0 |
| Property Crime | 28.49 | 23.43 | 20.0 |
Life in Richmond: The Best Places to Live
Are you still ready to call the city home?
Well, then, let’s take you through the best areas to find accommodation, taking safety, schooling options, and access to amenities into account.
- Richmond Heights
Perfect for raising kids and building a family — it’s a nice neighborhood in Richmond Heights. There are few parks and recreational areas where kids and adults can have an exciting time together.
With a walkability score of 66, this neighborhood has enough nearby places and amenities, such as restaurants, schools, coffee shops, and grocery stores all within reach.
- Population: 4,200
- Average House Rent: $2,068
- Median Home Value: $875,000
- Median Household Income: $101,932
- Crime Rate: Low
- May Valley
The tranquil neighborhood of Richmond. Life in May Valley promises an enchanting experience filled with natural scenery, open spaces, and plenty of fun activities.
Its walkability score might be as low as 34, but there are plenty of shops still within proximity to most residential areas.
As a neighborhood sitting between Highway 24 and Highway 80, commuting between other major cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and Walnut Creek is Easy.
- Population: 26,006
- Average House Rent: $2,950
- Median Home Value: $810,317
- Median Household Income: $111,610
- Crime Rate: Low
- Richmond Annex
Imagine a neighborhood where everything is within reach. Sounds like a fair deal of a place to live!
Richmond Annex’s walkability score of 82 sets it apart when it comes to having amenities nearby. Schools for kids are close by, fun parks are within proximity, and the area is safe.
- Population: 44,387
- Average House Rent: $4,668
- Median Home Value: $829,601
- Median Household Income: $79,659
- Crime Rate: Very Low
Endnote — Moving to Richmond, CA
Forget the big cities of California; try the smaller, less populated area in western Contra Costa County.
While there are obvious hiccups attached to living in the city, the neighborhood you decide to call home plays a major role in determining the quality of life you experience.
However, before moving to Richmond, CA, it’s best to always conduct a thorough review of your potential neighborhood to prevent crime attacks.
Two other notable neighborhoods you check out: Marina Bay and Point Richmond.
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