CostIndexUSA

Kalamazoo, MI vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
VA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Kalamazoo is slightly cheaper than Richmond — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kalamazoo, you would need $82,600 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+21.4%
Kalamazoo
81.6
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Kalamazoo
93.7
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Kalamazoo
104.5
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Kalamazoo
94.6
Richmond
93.7
Utilities10.2%
Kalamazoo
99.3
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kalamazoo to see what you'd need to earn in Richmond to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$82,600
$2,600 more needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 94.8) = salary × 1.0327. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

Richmond has 21.4% higher housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.