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ToolsCheapest NearRichmond

Affordable Alternatives to Richmond

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index98100 = US avg
1BR Rent$1,600/mo
Walk Score53/100
State Income Tax5.8%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🌻 Cincinnati
Ohio, OH
11% cheaper
vs. Richmond
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,300/mo
Monthly savings$300/mo
Walk score54/100
Median income$57K/yr
DetailsCompare
🎸 Cleveland
Ohio, OH
13% cheaper
vs. Richmond
COL 85
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,250/mo
Monthly savings$350/mo
Walk score58/100
Median income$51K/yr
DetailsCompare
⚾ St. Louis
Missouri, MO
11% cheaper
vs. Richmond
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,300/mo
Monthly savings$300/mo
Walk score61/100
Median income$54K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Cincinnati saves you $300/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

High-yield savings accounts — top rates today

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Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY
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Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
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Stay in Virginia

Cheaper cities within Virginia — same state laws, familiar surroundings.

🏛️ Roanoke
COL 87
1BR $1,200/mo
11% cheaper
🏛️ Norfolk
COL 90
1BR $1,400/mo
8% cheaper
🏛️ Virginia Beach
COL 93
1BR $1,550/mo
5% cheaper

Eliminate Virginia's 5.8% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $6,960/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
19% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
18% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
18% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
17% cheaper

More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back

No-annual-fee credit cards — earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase logo
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
Citi logo
Citi
Citi Custom Cash® Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
☐ Compare renters insurance →☐ Auto insurance for your new state →

More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Richmond, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $600/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $650/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $550/mo on rent17% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $600/mo on rent17% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo, OH
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $550/mo on rent17% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $600/mo on rent17% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Richmond at a glance

98
COL index
100 = US avg
$1,600
1BR rent
per month
$330K
Home price
median
5.8%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Springfield, MACOL: 98Carmel, INCOL: 98Dallas, TXCOL: 99Charleston, SCCOL: 97

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only