Moving from Richardson, TX to Fresno, CA
Moving from Richardson, TX to Fresno, CA is a 1560 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 22m 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.
1560 mi Β· 27h 22m 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 | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Fresno and Richardson are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 102.158); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.9% lower in Fresno than Richardson as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 65.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fresno sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 34 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.03 |
Median household income in Fresno is 0.9% below Richardson ($96,257 vs $66,804, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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 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 Fresno average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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 Fresno, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1560 mi and the route typically takes 27h 22m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1560 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 11.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fresno more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 0.9% lower than Richardson (102.158 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 30.6% lower 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Fresno, CA.