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Richmond is where rich heritage blends with modern affluence. Moving to Richmond is the best way to experience the rich history of Virginia along with its present high standard of living. Perhaps this is the reason that hundreds of people relocate to the capital city of Virginia State annually.
And if you too are keen to move to Richmond, do not pack the bags before you read our ultimate Richmond moving guide.
Maybe you know that Richmond is one of the power centers of the state but you may not know the latest details of the economy or jobs available. Similarly, you may also require knowing the safety, education, and housing details before making the final call. And it is here that we come for your help.
To get accurate facts about the city, our experts have got every detail related to Richmond which is collated in the Richmond moving guide.
ust go through them to know the city in and out.
Without wasting much time, let’s delve into Richmond's details.
Richmond was once vast farmlands that transformed into a thriving economic and cultural hub. It is an affordable place to live, with a diverse population and plenty of opportunities for arts, culture, and outdoor activities.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the city before you move here:
Drenched in scenic beauty and home to many corporate offices including 3 Fortune 500 companies, Richmond promises high-quality living. The cost of living is lower than the national average, and there are plenty of quality schools and hospitals. Richmond is a great place to call home.
Richmond is not only scenic and rich in heritage but also a major economic center with a diverse economy. With plenty of jobs, affordable living, and a strong culture of arts and music, it’s no wonder people prefer moving to Richmond.
As per the latest stats, about 225,676 people reside in Richmond. The population is highly diverse with a median age of 34.4, and about 21.4% of people live below the poverty line. The city’s population is a mix of White, Black, Asian, and other ethnicities.
Here are some key statistics about Richmond’s population:
Despite the heavy traffic, Richmond’s average one-way commute time is 21.9 minutes, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Here’s how residents commute:
The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Richmond experiences an average of 210 sunny days per year.
Richmond is a good city to relocate to when your aim is to reside in a place with blessed scenery, large open spaces, low risk of natural disasters, and good education. And what more attracts people to this capital city of Virginia?
We’ve got some of the reasons for people picking Richmond as their next moving destination:
Every city has its own share of good and bad and Richmond too has got both pros and cons. It is good to analyze both before you make the final call on relocation.
Here are a few pros and cons of moving to Richmond
If you are relocating to Richmond with your family, finding a home in a decent neighborhood will be the priority. Knowing this, our experts have got a list of the best neighborhoods here. As the city is the fourth-most-populous in Virginia, there’s no shortage of decent neighborhoods.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Average Rent | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonial Place | 2,243 | $2,800 | $395,000 |
| 2 | Malvern Gardens | 1,414 | $1,823 | $353,200 |
| 3 | Mary Munford | 1,398 | $2,110 | $405,100 |
| 4 | The Museum District | 6,669 | $1,910 | $373,171 |
| 5 | Stonewall Court | 829 | $2,910 | $544,600 |
| 6 | Sherwood Park | 815 | $1,410 | $357,600 |
| 7 | Forest Hill | 1,517 | $1,650 | $317,550 |
| 8 | Willow Lawn | 895 | $1,980 | $388,783 |
| 9 | Huguenot | 2,235 | $1,450 | $277,700 |
| 10 | Three Chopt | 2,348 | $1,550 | $290,300 |
Tip: When you’ve got a home to move to in Richmond, VA, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving costs.
While you seriously consider relocating to Richmond, you may start brooding over the cost of living. And it is natural to brood over the expenses you would need to meet every month. However, you can breathe easy. Despite being the capital city of Virginia and the major business center of the state, Richmond is cheaper when compared to any city of the same size in the state or outside. The cost of living in Richmond is 4.8% lower than the US average and 8.6% lower than the Virginia average.
Take a look at the table below to get a better picture of living costs in Richmond.
| Living Expense | Richmond | Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 95.2 | 104.2 | 100 |
| Grocery | 98 | 99.6 | 100 |
| Health | 99.2 | 103.1 | 100 |
| Housing | 96.9 | 112.9 | 100 |
| Median home cost | $327,100 | $343,200 | $338,100 |
| Utilities | 98.9 | 99.3 | 100 |
| Transportation | 83.5 | 99.4 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 136.2 | 113.7 | 100 |
Richmond is a major economic center of Virginia and the job market is robust here contributing to the national wealth. If your purpose of relocating is a job, you’ve got no better place than Richmond. Banking, finance, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are major industries here.
If you are keen to know more about jobs in Richmond, here are a few job stats.
The following table shows a breakdown of Richmond’s job market:
| Employment Information | Richmond, Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $38,132 | $37,638 |
| Household Income | $54,022 | $69,021 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.0% |
| Recent Job Growth | -5.6% | -6.2% |
| Future Job Growth | 37.1% | 33.5% |
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START MY QUOTEAs you are in the process of packing the bags to Virginia and the main goal is a job, it is crucial to have an idea about the jobs that are high in demand. This will help you know whether you have a chance in the city.
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical therapist | $79,240 | 124.6% |
| 2 | Nurse practitioner | $112,170 | 121.0% |
| 3 | Physician assistant | $101,280 | 119.3% |
| 4 | Interpreter and translator | $89,110 | 118.1% |
| 5 | Statistician | $87,400 | 117.7% |
| 6 | Operations analyst | $111,320 | 115.4% |
| 7 | Occupational therapist | $64,620 | 114.6% |
| 8 | Web developer | $90,200 | 111.8% |
| 9 | Information security analyst | $115,220 | 107.1% |
| 10 | Business analyst | $108,750 | 103.1% |
We know how curious you are to know the highest paying jobs in Richmond as this will help you while updating the profile on a job portal or short listing one. The city has many companies that offer fat checks and to help you, we’ve listed out the 10 best names.
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anesthesiologist | $367,787 | $178,800 |
| 2 | Oncologist | $299,334 | $149,000 |
| 3 | Trauma surgeon | $287,096 | $154,000 |
| 4 | Oral surgeon | $283,650 | $153,000 |
| 5 | Oral and maxillofacial surgeon | $274,468 | $147,000 |
| 6 | Physician | $272,601 | $144,000 |
| 7 | Transplant surgeon | $257,225 | $140,000 |
| 8 | Allergist/pediatric pulmonologist | $246,670 | $122,000 |
| 9 | Internist | $232,282 | $125,000 |
| 10 | Medical director | $226,461 | $146,000 |
As you’ve made up your mind to pack the bags to Richmond, we know the job is your priority. However, do you know the major jobs here? Knowing the main industries in Richmond will be helpful in analyzing whether your knowledge and qualifications will fit in here.
Here is a list of major industries in Richmond
As you reach Richmond and search for a job, your priority will be to join the one that is employee-friendly. The city has many companies that value its employees and our experts have collated 10 among them.
Here’s the list.
How much do you need to earn to live happily in Richmond? The city is home to companies that pay well and fortunately, the cost of living is also lower than in most US cities. The average salary here is $54,022 and anything above $45,000 is a decent salary here as you’ll be earning more than what half of the population here earns. A good hourly wage in Richmond is $12.05 per hour.
Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Richmond.
Despite being a sought-after city in Virginia, the housing costs in Richmond are yet to touch the sky. Moving here, it is easier to own a house here than most neighboring cities and you need to shell out just $327,000 on average for a house, which is cheaper than most US cities. While about 49.6% of the city residents stay in rented homes, only 2.9% of homes in the city are available for rent.
Just like the home prices, even the home rentals are budget-friendly in Richmond. This means you may rent a house in a decent neighborhood here without burning your wallet. To give you more details about the home rentals in Richmond, our experts have collated some facts.
While your intention to relocate to Richmond is a job, you’d be curious to know about the common taxes in the city. This is crucial as your take-home amount is what you get after the tax is deducted by the authorities. The city has some really big companies that offer fat paychecks but once the tax is cut, it may look trimmed. And this makes knowing the tax in the city crucial.
Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Richmond, VA:
Richmond is a perfect blend of heritage and modern opulence, and relocating here is a good way to explore both the rich past and vibrant present. As you have decided to move here, we thought giving the top 10 things to do in Richmond would be a good idea.
Richmond records a high crime rate, which can be a major concern when you take a call on relocation. As per the latest stats, the city's violent crime rate is 24.6, which is higher than the national average. The city is safer than just 6% of the US cities but about 67% of the residents feel the city is pretty safer. The property crime rate is 55.9 which is also much higher than the US average.
Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.
Whether you're still schooling or have school-age kids or not, if you're moving to Richmond, you’d most likely be interested in the best schools in the city. Here we’ve made a list of the best elementary, middle, high schools, and colleges in Richmond. Check out the list below:
Gayton Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 536 students | Rating: 9/10
Tuckahoe Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 565 students | Rating: 9/10
W W Gordon Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 561 students | Rating: 8/10
Greenfield Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 603 students | Rating: 7/10
Three Chopt Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 273 students | Rating: 7/10
Pocahontas Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 848 students | Rating: 8/10
Moody Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 1,115 students | Rating: 8/10
Tuckahoe Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 1,109 students | Rating: 5/10
Manchester Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 1,105 students | Rating: 5/10
Fairfield Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 1,120 students | Rating: 5/10
Richmond Community High School
Public, 9-12 | 225 students | Rating: 9/10
Godwin High School
Public, 9-12 | 225 students | Rating: 9/10
Thomas Jefferson High School
Public, 9-12 | 932 students | Rating: 8/10
Monacan High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,568 students | Rating: 6/10
Freeman High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,883 students | Rating: 6/10
Virginia Commonwealth University
University of Richmond
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
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