Moving from Abilene, TX to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Abilene, TX → Richmond, CA cover 1569 mi and about 27h 53m of driving through 4 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.
1569 mi · 27h 53m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 27.9% higher overall in Richmond vs Abilene on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Richmond: 27.9% above Abilene on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 24.4" |
Climate cools by 7.1°F on the annual average — 65.9°F → 58.8°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 27.9% between Abilene 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 | 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- 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.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 188.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 43.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene 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 1569 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richmond, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1569 mi and the route typically takes 27h 53m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 27.9% higher than Abilene (115.613 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 65.9°F in Abilene (7.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 25.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Richmond, CA.