2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tempe, AZ vs Richmond, VA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or is it cheaper to live in Tempe?
- Richmond is 15.8% less expensive than Tempe.

Which city has more affordable housing, Richmond or Tempe?
- Richmond housing costs are 29.8% less expensive than Tempe housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tempe or is Health Care more affordable in Richmond.
- Health related expenses are 7.2% more in Richmond.
 Tempe, AZRichmond, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock95.2100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.2100
 Housing138.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$327,100$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock83.5100
 Miscellaneous105.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

   |    Reply

Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Tempe

Reviews for Richmond    109 Reviews

Over 4 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 5 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 5 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


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.