Moving from Bellevue, WA to Richmond, CA
A move from Bellevue, WA to Richmond, CA covers 796 mi and around 15h 26m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
796 mi · 15h 26m by car · WA → OR → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 80, I 505 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Everett, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Richmond and Bellevue are close on the overall BEA RPP (111.133 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 4.0% under Bellevue at $1,516,154 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 24.4" |
Richmond runs 5.6°F warmer on the annual average (53.2°F vs 58.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.85 |
Median household income in Richmond is 4.0% below Bellevue ($161,300 vs $90,038, ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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 Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 60.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, CA from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 796 mi and the route typically takes 15h 26m via I 5 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 4.0% higher than Bellevue (115.613 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 796 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 44.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Richmond, CA.