Moving from Richardson, TX to Stockton, CA
Moving from Richardson, TX to Stockton, CA is a 1688 mi cross-country relocation β about 29h 43m 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.
1688 mi Β· 29h 43m 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 | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Stockton and Richardson is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Richardson and Stockton are within 5% of each other ($440,400 vs $431,328 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 17.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Stockton (63.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Stockton 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, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Stockton is 1.9% below Richardson ($96,257 vs $76,851, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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 Stockton average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Stockton, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1688 mi and the route typically takes 29h 43m 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 Stockton compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 278,010 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 Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Stockton more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 1.9% higher than Richardson (105.089 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1688 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 Stockton compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 2.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Stockton, CA.