Moving from Richmond, VA to Oxnard, CA
It is 2675 mi and 47h 3m from Richmond to Oxnard β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2675 mi Β· 47h 3m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Oxnard | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $369,646 to $767,291 moving to Oxnard.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 12.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.9Β°F) and Oxnard (61.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 3.88 |
Expect median household income to rise 13.0% β $62,671 β $93,372 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oxnard MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Dry climate: Oxnard sees only 12.9 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
How does the job market in Oxnard compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 13.0% higher than Richmond (110.534 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $369,646 in Richmond β a 107.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2675 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 49.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Oxnard, CA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 2675 mi and the route typically takes 47h 3m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 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, VA Β· Oxnard, CA.