Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Oklahoma City, OK → Richmond, CA cover 1628 mi and about 28h 31m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1628 mi · 28h 31m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 27.9% higher overall in Richmond vs Oklahoma City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Richmond: 27.9% above Oklahoma City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 24.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 27.9% between Oklahoma City and Richmond (ACS 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 Oklahoma 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
Is Richmond more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 27.9% higher than Oklahoma City (115.613 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 1628 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 Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 193.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, CA from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1628 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 36.4 in.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 35.0% 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Richmond, CA.