Moving from West Covina, CA to Richmond, CA
The 404 mi from West Covina to Richmond translate to about 7h 32m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
404 mi · 7h 32m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Richmond and West Covina are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richmond typical home at $606,427 is 1.8% under West Covina at $852,373 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 24.4" |
Climate cools by 6.3°F on the annual average — 65.1°F → 58.8°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Richmond sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.85 |
Income steps down 1.8%: $98,570 in West Covina vs $90,038 in Richmond.
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
Is Richmond more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 1.8% higher than West Covina (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 404 mi and the route typically takes 7h 32m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 404 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 65.1°F in West Covina (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 28.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Richmond, CA.