Moving from Houston, TX to Richardson, TX
Relocating between Houston, TX and Richardson, TX is a 253 mi drive β 4h 31m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
253 mi Β· 4h 31m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Houston and Richardson 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 climbs from $264,336 in Houston to $440,400 in Richardson, a 4.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.6Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.5% β $62,894 β $96,257 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $264,336 in Houston β a 66.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richardson, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 4h 31m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $62,894 in Houston β a 53.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richardson more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 4.5% higher than Houston (103.09 vs 98.629, 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Richardson, TX.