Moving from Sparks, NV to Richmond, VA
It is 2657 mi and 46h 39m from Sparks to Richmond — a cross-country move across 10 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.
2657 mi · 46h 39m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, St Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sparks | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sparks -0.5%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sparks | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.8" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.4" | 45.5" |
Expect 5.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SPARKS, NV US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sparks | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,106 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $86,979 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.23 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.1% — $86,979 → $62,671 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 | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nevada and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Sparks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,540 in the Sparks MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sparks 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 2657 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sparks vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $86,979 in Sparks — a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Sparks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $529,283 in Sparks — a 30.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Sparks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 3.1% lower than Sparks (97.858 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Sparks, NV?
The driving distance is 2657 mi and the route typically takes 46h 39m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Sparks and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 53.5°F in Sparks (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 6.8 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 8.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sparks.
City profiles: Sparks, NV · Richmond, VA.