Moving from El Paso, TX to Richmond, CA
Relocating 1185 mi from El Paso to Richmond is a 21h 19m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1185 mi · 21h 19m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.912 in El Paso to 115.613 in Richmond, putting overall prices 28.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 28.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $234,775 to $606,427 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 24.4" |
Expect 7.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.85 |
Expect median household income to rise 28.6% — $58,734 → $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 El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1185 mi and the route typically takes 21h 19m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 1185 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 158.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 53.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 66.2°F in El Paso (7.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 8.8 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 28.6% higher than El Paso (115.613 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 323,310 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Richmond, CA.