Moving from Atlanta, GA to Richardson, TX
The drive from Atlanta, GA to Richardson, TX runs 786 mi β about 14h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
786 mi Β· 14h 15m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richardson and Atlanta is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richardson is 3.0% above Atlanta ($440,400 vs $385,599 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Atlanta (62.3Β°F) and Richardson (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 34 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 3.0%: $81,938 in Atlanta vs $96,257 in Richardson.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 14.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richardson, TX from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 786 mi and the route typically takes 14h 15m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richardson more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 3.0% higher than Atlanta (103.09 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 17.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Richardson, TX.