Moving from Memphis, TN to Richmond, CA
A 2099 mi cross-country move between Memphis and Richmond is 36h 36m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2099 mi · 36h 36m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond is 25.4% above Memphis — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
25.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 24.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.85 |
Richmond households earn about 25.4% more than Memphis at the median — $51,211 → $90,038 on 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.
Moving between Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 far is Richmond, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 2099 mi and the route typically takes 36h 36m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 2099 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 63.4°F in Memphis (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 54.9 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 25.4% higher than Memphis (115.613 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 75.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 319.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Richmond, CA.