Moving from Clearwater, FL to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Clearwater, FL β Richmond, CA cover 2801 mi and about 51h 9m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2801 mi Β· 51h 9m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Tampa, St Petersburg, Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.6% pricier overall in Richmond than Clearwater on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richmond typical home at $606,427 is 14.6% above Clearwater at $339,488 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 24.4" |
NOAA normals show Richmond running 15.1Β°F below Clearwater on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Richmond sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.6% between Clearwater and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2801 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 Richmond compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 78.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 39.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, CA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 2801 mi and the route typically takes 51h 9m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 14.6% higher than Clearwater (115.613 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Richmond, CA.