Moving from Richmond, VA to Austin, TX
It is 1470 mi between Richmond and Austin — roughly 26h 15m 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.
1470 mi · 26h 15m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.858 vs 98.066 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $369,646 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 36.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.1°F moving to Austin per NOAA normals.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 0.2% more than Richmond at the median — $62,671 → $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements 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 Austin average 97°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 (11.1°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
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 45.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 1470 mi and the route typically takes 26h 15m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 37.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 0.2% higher than Richmond (98.066 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1470 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 58.9°F in Richmond (11.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 45.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Austin, TX.