Moving from Richardson, TX to Riverside, CA
The drive from Richardson, TX to Riverside, CA runs 1401 mi β about 24h 1m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1401 mi Β· 24h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Richardson (103.09) and Riverside (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Riverside: 3.3% above Richardson on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 10.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.42 |
Income steps down 3.3%: $96,257 in Richardson vs $88,575 in Riverside.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1401 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 46.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 8.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Riverside, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1401 mi and the route typically takes 24h 1m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Riverside more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 3.3% higher than Richardson (106.442 vs 103.09, 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Riverside, CA.