Best Cities Near Richmond, VA to Live in 2025

Richmond, VA beckons many new residents each year with its unique blend of natural resources and rich history. But if you're considering the area, and you want to keep your options flexible, why not look at nearby cities as well?

From small suburban escapes to coastal getaways, there's a city near Richmond that's just right for you. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the top options, considering factors like distance, commute time, rent prices, and transit accessibility. From Mechanicsville to Williamsburg, we've got you covered. So, let's dive in and find your ideal Richmond-area rental!

All of the rental data included here comes from our internal database of rent estimates, which is available for download. Transit scores come from walkscore.com and census information comes directly from the U.S. Census website.

Cities Near Richmond, VA

1. East Highland Park

• Distance from Richmond: 4.6 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 11 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 40 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 14 mins
• Starting rent: $1,295
• Population: 15,131
• Median household income: $70,395
• Walk score: 27
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 38

East Highland Park is a historic neighborhood located just east of downtown Richmond. It offers a charming atmosphere with tree-lined streets and beautiful homes. Residents enjoy easy access to the city's cultural attractions, including the nearby Richmond Raceway and the Garthright House. The neighborhood is also home to several parks and recreational facilities.

Your best commute option in this area if you don't want to use a car is a bicycle, since it takes about as long to bike as it does to drive to the city. If you opt for public transit, expect a commute that's at least forty minutes one-way.

2. Mechanicsville

• Distance from Richmond: 6.6 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 15 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: n/a
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 37 mins
• Starting rent: $1,172
• Population: 39,482
• Median household income: $91,393
• Walk score: 14
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 26

Mechanicsville is a growing region located northeast of Richmond. It offers a family-friendly environment with excellent schools and a variety of amenities. You'll also have a chance to enjoy an evening out at places like James River Cellars Winery. It's also close enough to Richmond to enjoy many of its activities like the Arts District Food Tour or any one of several ghost tours around the city.

Home to Richmond National Battlefield Park, it's also a great place for history buffs. The area boasts a strong sense of community and a thriving business district. Mechanicsville's proximity to Interstate 64 and Route 301 provides easy access to Richmond and other nearby cities via car, though there's no direct public transit route to the city.

3. Highland Springs

• Distance from Richmond: 6.8 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 13 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 13 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 37 mins
• Starting rent: $1,495
• Population: 16,604
• Median household income: $54,270
• Walk score: 49
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 47

Highland Springs is a diverse community located just east of Richmond. Originally connected by an early electric car streetway, today, Highland Springs offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas, providing residents with everything they need. The area boasts a vibrant cultural scene with a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.

Highland Springs' proximity to Interstate 295 makes it a convenient choice for commuters using a car or public transit, and both options take around the same amount of time. Commuting via bike from this area is a bit more challenging.

4. Lakeside

• Distance from Richmond: 7.0 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 12 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 34 mins
• Starting rent: $1,595
• Population: 12,203
• Median household income: $64,912
• Walk score: 41
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 41

Lakeside is a picturesque community located on the shores of Swift Creek Reservoir. It offers a serene and peaceful environment with beautiful views and ample recreational opportunities. Residents can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in the reservoir, as well as hiking and biking on the nearby trails.

Lakeside's natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a perfect choice for renters seeking a relaxing and idyllic lifestyle. If you really enjoy biking, and you don't shy away from a 30+ minute bike trip, then that's certainly a commuter options for this area. Expect public transit to take about twice as long, however.

5. Bon Air

• Distance from Richmond: 8.4 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 12 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 37 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 50 mins
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,399
• Population: 16,366
• Median household income: $95,881
• Walk score: 40
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 24

Bon Air is another charming historic neighborhood located south of Richmond. Originally a resort town, it continues to provide the comfort of natural beauty in an urban setting, with tree-lined streets and nearby Huguenot Park and Rock Creek Nature Center.

Bon Air's central location and historic character make it a desirable choice for renters seeking a quieter urban lifestyle. However, if you live in this area, you probably want to commute via car because both public transit and bikes take substantially longer. For occasional commutes though, they may be good options.

6. Tuckahoe

• Distance from Richmond: 8.8 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 18 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 1 hour 59 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 43 mins
• Starting rent: $1,375
• Population: 48,051
• Median household income: $89,920
• Walk score: 30
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 31

Tuckahoe is a suburban community located just west of Richmond. Residents can enjoy West Broad Street for shopping or visit Historic Tuckahoe for a day of fun. The area also has a thriving business district and a higher median income than others on this list.

Tuckahoe's proximity to Interstate 64 and Route 288 provides easy access to Richmond via car, though public transportation and biking to the city remain a challenge.

7. Sandston

• Distance from Richmond: 9.3 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 13 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 42 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 52 mins
• Starting rent: $1,200
• Population: 7,779
• Median household income: $61,384
• Walk score: 42
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 55

Sandston is a relatively affordable suburb located just south of Richmond. It offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas, as well as a low crime rate and a friendly atmosphere with many nearby parks including Taylor Farm Park and Henerico Park.

Sandston's proximity to Fort Lee makes it a popular choice for military personnel and their families. Commuters can get to the city in under fifteen minutes by car, while public transit and biking take a little more time, but both are still under an hour.

8. Laurel

• Distance from Richmond: 10.2 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 17 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 55 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 52 mins
• Starting rent: $1,316
• Population: 17,769
• Median household income: $67,988
• Walk score: 33
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 34

Laurel is a small town located south of Richmond. In the 19th century, Laurel was connected to the rest of the state via a railroad, though the old station was destroyed during the Civil War. Today, you can still see many historic buildings in Laurel.

The area boasts a low crime rate and a variety of recreational opportunities. Like Sandston, Laurel is also close to Fort Lee, though a bit farther out from the big city.

9. Glen Allen

• Distance from Richmond: 13.8 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 18 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: n/a
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 1 hour
• Starting rent: $1,492
• Population: 16,187
• Median household income: $88,206
• Walk score: 40
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 41

Glen Allen is another growing city located northeast of Richmond. Right next to Laurel, Glen Allen offers many of the same features of that area, including proximity to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, as well as similar rental prices.

Glen Allen's proximity to Interstate 64 and Route 301 provides access to Richmond in under twenty minutes by car. However, be aware that you won't be able to use public transit to get into Richmond if you live in Glen Allen.

10. Midlothian

• Distance from Richmond: 14.5 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 26 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: n/a
• Commute time to Richmond via bike: 1 hr 28 mins
• Starting rent: $1,318
• Population: 18,320
• Median household income: $104,480
• Walk score: 25
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 34

Midlothian is a great option for renters seeking a suburban lifestyle with easy access to Richmond. Formerly a coal town, much of that history remains today in places like Midlothian Mines Park, where you can spend a day with your family outside while learning about the history of the area.

Residents enjoy a variety of amenities, including shopping centers, restaurants, and parks. The area offers lower crime rates and excellent schools, making it a popular choice for families. While you can't take public transit into the city, a car ride can be less than a half hour depending on where you're going.

11. Chester

• Distance from Richmond: 19.6 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 28 mins
• Starting rent: $1,142
• Population: 23,414
• Median household income: $87,242
• Walk score: 11
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 20

Chester is a historic town located south of Richmond near to the Dutch Gap Conservation area. It offers a well-preserved historic downtown area as well as easy access to the James River and its recreational opportunities.

Chester, like other cities close to Fort Lee on this list, is a popular choice for military personnel and their families. It is less popular with commuters, however, because it is farther out from the city and doesn't have public transit or biking options.

12. Hopewell

• Distance from Richmond: 20.8 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 31 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 1 hour 14 mins
• Starting rent: $939
• Population: 22,752
• Median household income: $50,661
• Walk score: 36
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 34

Hopewell is a city located on the James River. It offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial areas. The city boasts a variety of parks and recreational facilities, including a golf course and a marina.

Hopewell's proximity to Interstate 95 means you can take both a car or public transit to Richmond. That means Hopewell might be a good option for many renters since starting rents are also lower in this area.

13. Colonial Heights

• Distance from Richmond: 23.1 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 35 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 1 hour 27 mins
• Starting rent: $1,050
• Population: 18,393
• Median household income: $72,216
• Walk score: 33
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 33

Colonial Heights is a city located south of Richmond that traces its roots back the the 17th century. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the one-of-a-kind Keystone Antique Truck and Tractor Museum; Colonial Heights also features excellent schools and a variety of amenities.

The city's proximity to Interstate 95 and Route 10 mean that both public transit and driving are good commuting options. However, public transit will take about three times as long as a car and you'll likely have to make several transitions.

14. Petersburg

• Distance from Richmond: 24.2 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 32 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 41 mins
• Starting rent: $1,094
• Population: 33,309
• Median household income: $46,930
• Walk score: 30
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 32

Petersburg is another historical site located near Richmond. Home to the Petersburg National Battlefield, residents not only enjoy historical sites but also fantastic restaurants and shopping opportunities, including River Street Park. The city boasts a rich history and a variety of cultural attractions.

Petersburg is connected to Richmond via Interstate 95 and Route 10, meaning that both cars and public transit are an option for commuters in this area. Even though it's farther out than some other cities on this list, public transit commute is still under an hour.

15. Williamsburg

• Distance from Richmond: 56.4 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 52 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 50 mins
• Starting rent: $1,350
• Population: 15,847
• Median household income: $66,815
• Walk score: 88
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 76

Williamsburg, former capital of the Virginia Colony, is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and its many historic attractions. The town offers a variety of cultural events including Colonial Williamsburg as well as shopping, and dining options.

Williamsburg's proximity to the Virginia Beach oceanfront makes it a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. It takes about as long to commute by car as by public transit, so that's good news if you're looking for another excuse to save a little money on gas.

16. Fredericksburg

• Distance from Richmond: 59.9 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 1 hour 1 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 2 hours 23 mins
• Starting rent: $1,466
• Population: 28,928
• Median household income: $83,445
• Walk score: 46
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 46

Fredericksburg is known for its well-preserved Civil War battlefield sites and the James Madison Museum. The city offers a variety of cultural events, shopping, and dining options. Fredericksburg's proximity to Washington, D.C., makes it a popular destination for tourists and residents alike.

Both starting rent and commute times are higher in Fredericksburg, so keep that in mind if you plan to work in Richmond. It is connected by public transit, but the path is too long for a daily commute.

17. Newport News

• Distance from Richmond: 70.9 miles
• Commute time to Richmond via car: 1 hour 27 mins
• Commute time to Richmond via public transport: 1 hour 12 mins
• Starting rent: $1,025
• Population: 183,118
• Median household income: $63,355
• Walk score: 34
• Transit score: 27
• Bike score: 39

Newport News is a coastal city located east of Richmond. It is known for its shipbuilding industry and its beautiful waterfront. The city offers a variety of recreational activities, including beaches, boating, and fishing.

Newport News' proximity to the Virginia Beach oceanfront makes it a popular destination for tourists as well as residents. If you don't need to visit Richmond too frequently, and living close to the beach appeals to you, then Newport News could be a great option.

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