Moving from Richardson, TX to Elk Grove, CA
A 1711 mi cross-country move between Richardson and Elk Grove is 30h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1711 mi Β· 30h 15m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Richardson and Elk Grove 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 $440,400 in Richardson to $637,450 in Elk Grove, a 3.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 18.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 61.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 34 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.24 |
Elk Grove households earn about 3.5% more than Richardson at the median β $96,257 β $122,229 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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 does household income compare in Richardson vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 27.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 3.5% higher than Richardson (106.67 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1711 mi and the route typically takes 30h 15m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1711 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 44.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Elk Grove, CA.