Moving from San Francisco, CA to Richardson, TX
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Richardson, TX is a 1779 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 3m 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.
1779 mi Β· 32h 3m 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 | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Richardson is 10.8% cheaper than San Francisco overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richardson is 10.8% below San Francisco β $1,356,662 vs $440,400 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 41.9" |
Richardson runs 9.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.2Β°F vs 65.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Richardson is 10.8% below San Francisco ($141,446 vs $96,257, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 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 Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 67.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richardson, TX from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 32h 3m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richardson more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 10.8% lower than San Francisco (103.09 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 31.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Richardson, TX.