Moving from San Mateo, CA to Richmond, VA
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Richmond, VA cover 2894 mi and about 51h 14m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2894 mi Β· 51h 14m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, St Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 97.858, putting Richmond roughly 15.4% below San Mateo on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Richmond: 15.4% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 45.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.23 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.4% between San Mateo and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 58.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, VA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2894 mi and the route typically takes 51h 14m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 78.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2894 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 15.4% lower than San Mateo (97.858 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Richmond, VA.