Moving from Spokane, WA to Richardson, TX
Moving from Spokane, WA to Richardson, TX is a 1867 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 28m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1867 mi Β· 32h 28m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 287, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Spokane (100.346) and Richardson (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Richardson at $440,400 is 2.7% above Spokane at $395,325.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 41.9" |
Major climate step-up: 16.0Β°F warmer annual average in Richardson vs Spokane.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Richardson is 2.7% above Spokane ($65,745 vs $96,257, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Richardson, TX from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1867 mi and the route typically takes 32h 28m via I 90 and US 287. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 46.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richardson more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 2.7% higher than Spokane (103.09 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 11.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1867 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Richardson, TX.