Moving from College Station, TX to Richardson, TX
It is a 199 mi drive, roughly 3h 36m, between College Station, TX and Richardson, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
199 mi Β· 3h 36m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, I 35E, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Richardson runs about 13.3% more expensive overall than College Station β RPP 90.951 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $349,041 in College Station to $440,400 in Richardson, a 13.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 13.3% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is Richardson more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 13.3% higher than College Station (103.09 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richardson, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 199 mi and the route typically takes 3h 36m via TX 6 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $51,776 in College Station β a 85.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $349,041 in College Station β a 26.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Richardson, TX.