Moving from San Francisco, CA to Richmond, CA
Relocating between San Francisco, CA and Richmond, CA is a 51 mi drive — 1h 38m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
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
| San Francisco | Richmond | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 115.613 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,356,662 to $606,427 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in San Francisco (56.2°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: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.85 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $141,446 → $90,038 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
How does the job market in Richmond compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
How far is Richmond, CA from San Francisco, 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.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 55.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 20.6 in.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 51 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Richmond, CA.