Moving from Palmdale, CA to Richmond, CA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Richmond, CA covers 374 mi and about 7h 6m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
374 mi · 7h 6m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, CA 138 |
| Major cities en route | Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Clarita, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | 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 |
Richmond and Palmdale are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 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 1.8% above Palmdale at $501,257 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 24.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.6°F vs 58.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.85 |
Median household income in Richmond is 1.8% above Palmdale ($81,151 → $90,038, 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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (4.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 7.3 in.
How far is Richmond, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 374 mi and the route typically takes 7h 6m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 21.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 374 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 1.8% higher than Palmdale (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 11.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Richmond, CA.