Moving from San Antonio, TX to Richmond, CA
A 1730 mi cross-country move between San Antonio and Richmond is 29h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1730 mi · 29h 59m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 94.716 in San Antonio to 115.613 in Richmond, putting overall prices 22.1% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $249,810 to $606,427 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 24.4" |
Annual temperature drops 10.2°F moving to Richmond per 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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.85 |
Richmond households earn about 22.1% more than San Antonio at the median — $62,917 → $90,038 on ACS 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.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 142.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, CA from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1730 mi and the route typically takes 29h 59m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 1730 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (10.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 34.0 in.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 43.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richmond more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 22.1% higher than San Antonio (115.613 vs 94.716, 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Richmond, CA.