Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Richardson, TX
Relocating 1248 mi from West Palm Beach to Richardson is a 22h 59m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1248 mi Β· 22h 59m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Richardson at 103.09 vs West Palm Beach at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.7% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 41.9" |
Expect 10.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.7% β $69,261 β $96,257 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richardson compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richardson more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 9.7% lower than West Palm Beach (103.09 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1248 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richardson, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1248 mi and the route typically takes 22h 59m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 10.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 39.0% higher 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 Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Richardson, TX.