Moving from Dallas, TX to Richmond, CA
It is 1735 mi and 30h 37m from Dallas to Richmond — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1735 mi · 30h 37m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.1% above Dallas — 103.09 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 24.4" |
Expect 9.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.85 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.1% — $67,760 → $90,038 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
How far is Richmond, CA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1735 mi and the route typically takes 30h 37m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 96.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1735 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 12.1% higher than Dallas (115.613 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 68.0°F in Dallas (9.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 38.3 in.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 32.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Richmond, CA.