Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Richmond, VA
It is 2803 mi and 49h 23m from Elk Grove to Richmond β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2803 mi Β· 49h 23m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Richmond at 97.858 vs Elk Grove at 106.67.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $637,450 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) and Richmond (58.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.23 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.3% β $122,229 β $62,671 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Richmond, VA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2803 mi and the route typically takes 49h 23m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.3% lower than Elk Grove (97.858 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2803 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 48.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 42.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Richmond, VA.