CostIndexUSA

Pasadena, CA vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Richmond is moderately cheaper than Pasadena — 13.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pasadena, you would need $68,900 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.8%
Pasadena
170.4
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries9.2%
Pasadena
106.6
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Pasadena
109.6
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Pasadena
99.1
Richmond
93.7
Utilities43.8%
Pasadena
158.6
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$68,900
$11,100 less needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8618. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Richmond, VA

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

Pasadena has 41.8% lower housing costs compared to Richmond.

Income & Job Market

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

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).

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.