Moving from Stockton, CA to Richmond, CA
Relocating between Stockton, CA and Richmond, CA is a 74 mi drive — 1h 40m 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.
74 mi · 1h 40m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 4, I 80, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Antioch, Fairfield, Concord, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.0% above Stockton — 105.089 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 24.4" |
Expect 5.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.85 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.0% higher in Richmond than Stockton.
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 Stockton and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 63.9°F in Stockton (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 17.3 in.
How far is Richmond, CA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 40m via CA 4 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 10.0% higher than Stockton (115.613 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 40.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Stockton 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 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 17.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · Richmond, CA.