Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Richmond, CA
It is a 55 mi drive, roughly 1h 12m, between Santa Clara, CA and Richmond, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
55 mi Β· 1h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, I 580, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 24.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.85 |
Richmond households earn about 4.7% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $90,038 on 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 | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 55 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 4.7% higher than Santa Clara (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 48.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 66.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 55 mi and the route typically takes 1h 12m via I 880 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Richmond, CA.