Moving from Visalia, CA to Richmond, CA
Relocating between Visalia, CA and Richmond, CA is a 227 mi drive — 4h 26m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
227 mi · 4h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Clovis, Modesto, Stockton, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Visalia | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.825 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.446 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.053 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.8% above Visalia — 99.825 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Visalia +0.8%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Visalia | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.3" | 24.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: VISALIA, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Visalia | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,649 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $79,952 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.3% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.07 | 2.85 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.8% higher in Richmond than Visalia.
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 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
- 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 — 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 Visalia to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 227 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Visalia vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $79,952 in Visalia — a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Visalia and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 63.1°F in Visalia (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 10.3 in.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Visalia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $42,350 in the Visalia MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 168,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Visalia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $396,184 in Visalia — a 53.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Visalia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 15.8% higher than Visalia (115.613 vs 99.825, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from Visalia, CA?
The driving distance is 227 mi and the route typically takes 4h 26m via CA 99 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 Visalia.
City profiles: Visalia, CA · Richmond, CA.