Moving from Richardson, TX to Palmdale, CA
It is 1401 mi between Richardson and Palmdale β roughly 24h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1401 mi Β· 24h 35m 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, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.2% above Richardson β 103.09 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 10.2% above Richardson β $440,400 β $501,257 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.56 |
Households in Palmdale earn about 10.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 Palmdale 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: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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
Is Palmdale more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 10.2% higher than Richardson (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1401 mi and the route typically takes 24h 35m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 13.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1401 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Palmdale, CA.