Moving from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, CA
It is a 73 mi drive, roughly 1h 29m, between Sacramento, CA and Richmond, 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.
73 mi · 1h 29m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 BUS, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Antioch, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $479,766 to $606,427 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Sacramento (63.4°F) and Richmond (58.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.85 |
Households in Richmond earn about 8.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond 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 Sacramento and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 19.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 26.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.4% higher than Sacramento (115.613 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 73 mi and the route typically takes 1h 29m via I 80 and I 80 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 7.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 73 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Richmond, CA.