Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Richardson, TX
A 1711 mi cross-country move between Elk Grove and Richardson is 30h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1711 mi Β· 30h 15m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 39 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 3.4% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
Is Richardson more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 3.4% lower than Elk Grove (103.09 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richardson, TX from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1711 mi and the route typically takes 30h 15m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 30.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 21.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1711 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Richardson, TX.