KentuckyPop. 37,111Small cities
Is Richmond a Good Place to Live? Richmond, Kentucky: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Richmond ranks #678 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #121 of 208 small cities and #10 of 20 in Kentucky. Against similar-size cities it stands out for fast population growth (+2.7%, #14 of 182) and low living costs (85.3, #22 of 208), and trails on low household income ($50,870, #174 of 208) and high unemployment (4.7%, #148 of 184).
Richmond by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Richmond's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Richmond?
Richmond's cost of living index is 85.3, 15% below the US level of 100 and #33 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $917/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $301,436, 30% above the typical Kentucky home ($232,577).
| Measure | Richmond | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 92.6 · US 100 | 85.3#33 of 1,308 | 90.2 | 92.6 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $305,499 · US $368,697 | $301,436#378 of 1,187 | $232,577 | $305,499 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,536/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,145/mo#73 of 1,115 | — | $1,536/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $261,400 | $214,900#279 of 1,309 | — | $261,400 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,178/mo | $917/mo#112 of 1,309 | — | $1,178/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.5x | 4.2x#631 of 1,309 | — | 3.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.9% | 21.6%#632 of 1,309 | — | 19.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Richmond housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Richmond is in the Richmond-Berea, KY metro.
Kentucky housing market →Is Richmond safe?
Richmond recorded 243 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 26% below the US rate of 328 and 15% above Kentucky's 212. That ranks #446 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #83 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Richmond Police Department. Property crime runs 1,630 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Richmond | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 258 · US 328 | 243#446 of 1,085 | 212 | 258 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,540 · US 1,548 | 1,630#538 of 1,085 | 1,262 | 1,540 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Richmond?
The median household in Richmond earns $50,870, 39% below the US figure of $83,163 and 21% below Kentucky ($64,526). Unemployment is 4.7% (US 4.3%). 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 2.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Richmond | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $71,675 · US $83,163 | $50,870#1219 of 1,312 | $64,526 | $71,675 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7% · US 4.3% | 4.7%#760 of 1,058 | 4.6% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 19.5%#1096 of 1,312 | — | 13% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +2.7%#60 of 1,132 | +0.5% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Richmond?
The median resident of Richmond is 28.4 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 34.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #615 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 38.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Richmond | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.3 | 28.4 | 37.3 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 32.5% | 34.9%#615 of 1,312 | 32.5% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 62.3% | 38.3% | 62.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Richmond's schools and health?
Richmond's 9 public schools graduate 93% of students in four years (Kentucky 90.1%), with 16.7 students per teacher and $12,260 spent per pupil. 35.6% of adults are obese and 10.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 35.6% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Richmond | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 93%#172 of 1,063 | 90.1% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.9 | 16.7#705 of 1,188 | — | 14.9 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $13,509 | $12,260#903 of 1,188 | — | $13,509 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 35.6% | 35.6%#822 of 1,311 | — | 35.6% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 10.2%#440 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.3% | 21.5%#1271 of 1,311 | — | 17.3% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 9.2% | 7.1%#264 of 1,311 | — | 9.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,077 students are enrolled in Richmond's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Richmond?
The average commute in Richmond is 23 minutes (Kentucky 24.5); 0% of workers take transit and 8.3% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Richmond scores 8.3 of 20 (below average walkable), #982 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 73.3°F and winters 35.6°F, with 50.9 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Richmond | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 21.5 min | 23 min#599 of 1,312 | 24.5 min | 21.5 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.6% | 6%#714 of 1,312 | 6.5% | 4.6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75.7% | 76.1% | 76.4% | 75.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 0% | 0.6% | 0.5% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 4.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 10% | 8.3% | 9.5% | 10% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 8.3#982 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42.9 | 22.6 | 3.6 |
| Feb | 47.7 | 25.3 | 3.7 |
| Mar | 56.7 | 31.7 | 4.7 |
| Apr | 68.1 | 41.3 | 4.6 |
| May | 75.5 | 51.5 | 5.4 |
| Jun | 82.6 | 60.8 | 4.9 |
| Jul | 85.3 | 64.5 | 5.4 |
| Aug | 84.5 | 62.1 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 79.2 | 55 | 3.9 |
| Oct | 68.9 | 42 | 3.5 |
| Nov | 57.1 | 32.1 | 3.3 |
| Dec | 47.3 | 27.7 | 4.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Cressy.
| Measure | Richmond | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 56.3°F | 54.7°F | 56.3°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.3°F | 73.3°F | 76.3°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.7°F | 35.6°F | 36.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 43.2 in | 50.9 in | 43.2 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Cressy.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Richmond?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Richmond's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Madison County's biggest natural hazard losses in hail, earthquake, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 80% of US counties.
| Measure | Richmond | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.11%#311 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Madison County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Madison County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0.0047% | 69% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0055% | 68% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.01% | 55% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.075% | 42% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Richmond compare with similar-size cities?
Richmond is one of 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track and ranks #121 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 37,111.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, KYPop. 37,111 | #678 | 55.5 | $50,870 | $917/mo | 243 | 23 min |
| Kaneohe, HIPop. 37,355 | #284 | 62.4 | $125,613 | $2,269/mo | no data | 27.6 min |
| Greenfield, WIPop. 37,345 | #268 | 62.8 | $70,459 | $1,170/mo | 105 | 22.2 min |
| Leavenworth, KSPop. 37,195 | #820 | 53.0 | $72,987 | $1,229/mo | 455 | 19.6 min |
| South Valley, NMPop. 37,120 | #1229 | 43.7 | $58,224 | $954/mo | no data | 25.6 min |
| Winchester, NVPop. 37,081 | #1285 | 39.0 | $50,120 | $1,220/mo | no data | 26 min |
| Manchester, CTPop. 36,759 | #531 | 57.6 | $74,267 | $1,384/mo | county/metro | 22.8 min |
| Muskogee, OKPop. 36,758 | #1279 | 39.6 | $50,213 | $858/mo | 846 | 19.3 min |
| Benton, ARPop. 36,595 | #594 | 56.8 | $72,876 | $1,072/mo | 445 | 24.2 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Richmond compare with the rest of Kentucky?
Richmond ranks #10 of the 20 Kentucky cities we track, with a score of 55.5 against Kentucky's statewide 44.8. Its households earn 21% below the Kentucky median. Violent crime is 15% above the statewide rate. Homes are 30% above the typical Kentucky home.
| City | Rank in KY | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, KYPop. 29,392 | #1 | 64.4 | $102,361 | $1,250/mo | 49 |
| Jeffersontown, KYPop. 29,199 | #2 | 61.1 | $81,506 | $1,320/mo | 65 |
| Florence, KYPop. 32,803 | #3 | 60.5 | $71,003 | $1,329/mo | 199 |
| Georgetown, KYPop. 39,117 | #4 | 60.3 | $80,088 | $1,255/mo | 165 |
| Lexington, KYPop. 323,725 | #5 | 59.9 | $69,479 | $1,164/mo | 228 |
| Erlanger, KYPop. 19,875 | #6 | 58.4 | $75,840 | $970/mo | 69 |
| Nicholasville, KYPop. 32,197 | #7 | 58.0 | $68,503 | $1,147/mo | 197 |
| Covington, KYPop. 41,110 | #8 | 57.5 | $61,166 | $1,006/mo | 290 |
| Elizabethtown, KYPop. 32,576 | #9 | 57.4 | $60,760 | $909/mo | 110 |
| Richmond, KYPop. 37,111 | #10 | 55.5 | $50,870 | $917/mo | 243 |
| Frankfort, KYPop. 28,503 | #11 | 53.8 | $53,073 | $944/mo | 238 |
| Owensboro, KYPop. 60,302 | #12 | 51.6 | $56,357 | $905/mo | 413 |
| Bowling Green, KYPop. 75,388 | #13 | 50.8 | $48,873 | $998/mo | 187 |
| Ashland, KYPop. 21,295 | #14 | 50.8 | $52,715 | $872/mo | 244 |
| Louisville, KYPop. 631,818 | #15 | 50.0 | $66,849 | $1,120/mo | 674 |
| Paducah, KYPop. 26,845 | #16 | 49.8 | $49,915 | $834/mo | 274 |
| Henderson, KYPop. 27,852 | #17 | 49.6 | $48,186 | $771/mo | 278 |
| Madisonville, KYPop. 19,515 | #18 | 46.6 | $53,860 | $838/mo | 149 |
| Hopkinsville, KYPop. 30,906 | #19 | 45.9 | $49,139 | $902/mo | 300 |
| Radcliff, KYPop. 22,864 | #20 | 45.6 | $58,559 | $971/mo | 287 |
All 20 Kentucky cities we track, by overall score. Kentucky statewide: median income $64,526, violent crime 212.1 per 100,000.
How is Richmond's score calculated?
Richmond scores 55.5 out of 100, #678 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Kentucky's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Richmond. Similar-size median 52.9.
38.1 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Richmond's police agency. Similar-size median 78.4.
79.6 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Richmond. Similar-size median 52.2.
45.8 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Richmond's public schools. Similar-size median 59.4.
58.0 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Richmond's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 76.3.
86.1 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Richmond. Similar-size median 46.7.
26.3 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Richmond. Similar-size median 44.2.
65.7 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Richmond. Similar-size median 47.3.
46.5 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Richmond's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
38.4 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 54.8.
79.9 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Richmond's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Richmond has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Richmond
Is Richmond, KY a good place to live?
Richmond ranks #678 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #121 of 208 small cities and #10 of 20 in Kentucky. Against similar-size cities it stands out for fast population growth (+2.7%, #14 of 182) and low living costs (85.3, #22 of 208), and trails on low household income ($50,870, #174 of 208) and high unemployment (4.7%, #148 of 184).
What is the cost of living in Richmond?
Richmond's cost of living index is 85.3, 15% below the US level of 100 and #33 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $917/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $301,436, 30% above the typical Kentucky home ($232,577).
What is the crime rate in Richmond?
Richmond recorded 243 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 26% below the US rate of 328 and 15% above Kentucky's 212. That ranks #446 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #83 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Richmond Police Department. Property crime runs 1,630 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Richmond?
The median household in Richmond earns $50,870, 39% below the US figure of $83,163 and 21% below Kentucky ($64,526). Unemployment is 4.7% (US 4.3%). 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 2.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Richmond?
Median rent in Richmond is $917/mo (Census), #112 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,145/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 21.6% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Richmond?
The typical home value in Richmond is $301,436, up 1.4% in a year, against $232,577 for Kentucky and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $214,900.
How are the public schools in Richmond?
Richmond's 9 public schools graduate 93% of students in four years (Kentucky 90.1%), with 16.7 students per teacher and $12,260 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Richmond?
The average commute is 23 minutes, #599 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 24.5 minutes across Kentucky. 6% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Richmond?
Richmond averages 54.7°F over the year, 73.3°F in summer and 35.6°F in winter, with 50.9 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Richmond walkable?
Richmond scores 8.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #982 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Richmond at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Madison County's biggest natural hazard losses in hail, earthquake, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 80% of US counties.
Who lives in Richmond?
Richmond has 37,111 residents. The median resident of Richmond is 28.4 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 34.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #615 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 38.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Richmond compare with the rest of Kentucky?
Richmond ranks #10 of the 20 Kentucky cities we track, with a score of 55.5 against Kentucky's statewide 44.8. Its households earn 21% below the Kentucky median. Violent crime is 15% above the statewide rate. Homes are 30% above the typical Kentucky home.
What cities are similar in size to Richmond?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Richmond's population of 37,111 are Kaneohe, HI (#284 overall), Greenfield, WI (#268 overall), Leavenworth, KS (#820 overall), South Valley, NM (#1229 overall), and Winchester, NV (#1285 overall). Richmond is #678.