Moving from Visalia, CA to Richmond, VA
Cross-country relocations like Visalia, CA → Richmond, VA cover 2704 mi and about 47h 36m of driving through 8 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.
2704 mi · 47h 36m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
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 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.446 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.053 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Visalia (99.825) and Richmond (97.858) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Richmond ZHVI at $369,646 is 2.0% below Visalia at $396,184.
YoY change: Visalia +0.8%, Richmond +1.4%. 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 | 29°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.3" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: VISALIA, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Visalia | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,649 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $79,952 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.3% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 3.07 | 2.23 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.0% between Visalia 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 — 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
Is Richmond more expensive than Visalia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 2.0% lower than Visalia (97.858 vs 99.825, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Visalia, CA?
The driving distance is 2704 mi and the route typically takes 47h 36m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Visalia vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $79,952 in Visalia — a 21.6% lower 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 58.9°F in Richmond vs 63.1°F in Visalia (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 10.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Visalia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $396,184 in Visalia — a 6.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Visalia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $42,350 in the Visalia MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 168,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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 2704 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Visalia.
City profiles: Visalia, CA · Richmond, VA.