Moving from Richardson, TX to Atlanta, GA
A move from Richardson, TX to Atlanta, GA covers 786 mi and around 14h 15m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
786 mi Β· 14h 15m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Atlanta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Richardson (103.09) and Atlanta (100.058) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Atlanta ZHVI at $385,599 is 2.9% below Richardson at $440,400.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Atlanta -3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 48.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 499,287 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $81,938 |
| Median age | 34 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 32.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.16 |
Median household income in Atlanta is 2.9% below Richardson ($96,257 β $81,938, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Atlanta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Atlanta average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Atlanta compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Atlanta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Atlanta more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Atlanta is 2.9% lower than Richardson (100.058 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Atlanta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,938 in Atlanta vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 14.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Atlanta compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $385,599 in Atlanta vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 12.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Atlanta, GA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 786 mi and the route typically takes 14h 15m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Atlanta, GA.