City Comparison

Richmond vs Washington DC: How they compare

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Washington, D. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Richmond's median sold price is $390K with homes averaging 31 days on market; Washington DC is at $670K and 55 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Washington DC is pricier ($670K median vs $390K), a difference of about $280K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 55 in Washington DC. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.

Richmond

VA

Washington DC

DC

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$390K

$670K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

31 days

55 days

Price Range

$125K–$1.5M

$200K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition

Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Navy Yard

VA

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DC

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or Washington DC more affordable?

Richmond is more affordable with a median sold price of $390K, compared to $670K in Washington DC (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M. Washington DC prices range from $200K–$5M+.

How do Richmond and Washington DC compare?

Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. Washington, D. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.

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