Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Richmond, CA
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Richmond, CA covers 285 mi and about 5h 21m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
285 mi Β· 5h 21m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 58, I 5, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, San Jose, Fremont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 100.886 in Bakersfield to 115.613 in Richmond, a 14.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Richmond: 14.6% above Bakersfield on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 24.4" |
Richmond is 6.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (65.1Β°F vs 58.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.85 |
Median household income in Richmond is 14.6% above Bakersfield ($77,397 β $90,038, 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.
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.
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 β 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
How far is Richmond, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 285 mi and the route typically takes 5h 21m via CA 58 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 285 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 53.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 14.6% higher than Bakersfield (115.613 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 16.3% 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Richmond, CA.