Moving from Richmond, CA to San Francisco, CA
It is a 51 mi drive, roughly 1h 38m, between Richmond, CA and San Francisco, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
51 mi · 1h 38m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 580, US 101, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Oakland, San Mateo, Hayward, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | San Francisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Richmond and San Francisco sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $606,427 in Richmond to $1,356,662 in San Francisco, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 62°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 20.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.8°F vs 56.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Francisco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.31 |
San Francisco households earn about 0.0% more than Richmond at the median — $90,038 → $141,446 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco 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 Richmond and San Francisco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.2°F in San Francisco vs 58.8°F in Richmond (2.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.6 in vs 24.4 in.
How much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 123.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 57.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Francisco compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to San Francisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Francisco, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 38m via I 580 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · San Francisco, CA.