Moving from Richardson, TX to Oakland, CA
A 1715 mi cross-country move between Richardson and Oakland 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.
1715 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, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $440,400 to $716,248 moving to Oakland.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.2Β°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Oakland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 34 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.53 |
Median household incomes in Richardson ($96,257) and Oakland ($97,369) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland 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 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1715 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 Oakland compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 62.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Oakland more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 12.1% higher than Richardson (115.613 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1715 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 Oakland compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 1.2% 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Oakland, CA.