Moving from Richardson, TX to Tallahassee, FL
A move from Richardson, TX to Tallahassee, FL covers 839 mi and around 15h 39m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
839 mi Β· 15h 39m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Tallahassee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 93.919 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 87.471 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 78.528 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tallahassee are 8.9% below Richardson β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tallahassee typical home at $291,127 is 8.9% under Richardson at $440,400 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Tallahassee +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 58.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 68.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, TALLAHASSEE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 199,696 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $55,931 |
| Median age | 34 | 28 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 28.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Tallahassee is 8.9% below Richardson ($96,257 vs $55,931, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tallahassee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,350 | $36,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,350 | $49,900 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,450 | $27,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,180 | $29,970 |
| Management Occupations | 12,840 | $84,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tallahassee average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tallahassee averages 58.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tallahassee more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tallahassee is 8.9% lower than Richardson (93.919 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tallahassee compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,127 in Tallahassee vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 33.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Tallahassee?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 839 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tallahassee, FL from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 839 mi and the route typically takes 15h 39m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tallahassee compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 181,050 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 Tallahassee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,931 in Tallahassee vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 41.9% 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· Tallahassee, FL.