2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Richmond, VA vs Santa Barbara, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Richmond?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 4.7 years older than in Richmond.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Richmond?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 366.4% more expensive than Richmond housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Richmond?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 4.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Richmond.

Things to do in Richmond?
Richmond, Virginia is a vibrant city with plenty of activities for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts will love visiting Maymont Park or Belle Isle for some nature-filled fun. Meanwhile, art and history buffs can explore the exhibits at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts or the Virginia Historical Society. Sports fans can cheer on teams like the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team and the Richmond Spiders football team. Those looking to explore some local cuisine should visit Broad Street Market while music lovers can take in a show at The National. From outdoor adventures to cultural exploration, there's something for everyone in Richmond!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Richmond, VASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$54,795  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$327,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.87  Unlock26.38
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Richmond

Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

   |    Reply

If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Barbara


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.