Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Richmond, CA
It is a 422 mi drive, roughly 7h 56m, between Costa Mesa, CA and Richmond, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
422 mi Β· 7h 56m by car Β· 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
| Costa Mesa | 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 |
Costa Mesa and Richmond sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $606,427 in Richmond, a 1.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 24.4" |
Annual temperature drops 6.1Β°F moving to Richmond per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Richmond sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.85 |
Households in Richmond earn about 1.8% less at the median β 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.
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 Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 422 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m 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 Costa Mesa to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 57.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 18.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richmond more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 1.8% higher than Costa Mesa (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Richmond, CA.