Moving from Houston, TX to Richmond, CA
Moving from Houston, TX to Richmond, CA is a 1924 mi cross-country relocation — about 33h 26m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1924 mi · 33h 26m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond is 17.2% higher than Houston, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 17.2% above Houston — $264,336 vs $606,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 24.4" |
Richmond is 11.8°F cooler on the annual average (70.6°F vs 58.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.85 |
Median household income in Richmond is 17.2% above Houston ($62,894 vs $90,038, ACS 5-year 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.8°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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Houston and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 70.6°F in Houston (11.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 54.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $264,336 in Houston — a 129.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 17.2% higher than Houston (115.613 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 1924 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1924 mi and the route typically takes 33h 26m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $62,894 in Houston — a 43.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Richmond, CA.