Moving from Richmond, CA to Laredo, TX
A 1785 mi cross-country move between Richmond and Laredo is 31h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1785 mi · 31h 51m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 24.8% cheaper overall price level — 115.613 → 86.956 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
24.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 24.8% less than Richmond at the median — $90,038 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 58.8°F in Richmond (16.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 24.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 24.8% lower than Richmond (86.956 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 1785 mi and the route typically takes 31h 51m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 63.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 29.7% 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Laredo, TX.