Philadelphia and Richmond receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Philadelphia
Richmond
Opportunity
61 · Top 38%
vs49 · Bottom 33%
Growth
53 · Bottom 49%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
71 · Top 47%
vs75 · Top 31%
Physical resilience
71 · Top 28%
vs82 · Top 17%
Housing affordability
69 · Top 48%
vs58 · Bottom 30%
Access
98 · Top 26%
vs97 · Bottom 49%
Economic stability
43 · Bottom 19%
vs52 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Philadelphia | Richmond | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,579,706 | 229,359 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $61,953 | $64,587 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,905 | $45,790 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11,760/sq mi | 3,827/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $243,100 | $353,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,397 | $1,372 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.8% | 43.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.8% | -2.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.4% | 45.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 21.4% | 18.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 4,599 | 2,714 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 11.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 72.8% | -20.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 27°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.0" | 45.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 34.1 min | 23.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Philadelphia
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Richmond
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Philadelphia
67
Your Score
67
Area Score
Richmond
68
Your Score
67
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Richmond, VA · How this is calculated: methodology