Moving from Clearwater, FL to Richardson, TX
It is 1077 mi between Clearwater and Richardson β roughly 20h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1077 mi Β· 20h 47m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Allen, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Clearwater and Richardson sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,488 in Clearwater to $440,400 in Richardson, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature drops 8.1Β°F moving to Richardson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 2.2% more than Clearwater at the median β $64,440 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
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 Florida 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 does the job market in Richardson compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richardson, TX from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 1077 mi and the route typically takes 20h 47m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 49.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richardson more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 2.2% higher than Clearwater (103.09 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1077 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 29.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Richardson, TX.