2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Richmond, VA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arcata or is it cheaper to live in Richmond?
- Arcata is 13.4% more expensive than Richmond.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arcata or Richmond?
- Arcata housing costs are 40.8% more expensive than Richmond housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Richmond or is Health Care more affordable in Arcata.
- Health related expenses are 18.6% more in Arcata.
 Richmond, VAArcata, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock108.0100
 Food & Groceries98.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.7100
 Housing96.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$444,300$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock81.2100
 Miscellaneous136.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Richmond    109 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Lived here for a year and it’s not perfect but it’s constantly improving now (areas redevloped, more businesses, job growth). Cost of living is great compared to  More

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Over 4 years ago

We love Richmond so much that when we talk about where we'd like to live if we could live anywhere in the US, we always come back to RVA. We live in the city proper  More

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Over 4 years ago

I'm an out-of-towner but am coming up on 1 year in Richmond. I would summarize it this way: the best thing and the worst thing about Richmond is its location. I'll  More

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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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