Moving from Torrance, CA to Richmond, CA
The 396 mi from Torrance to Richmond translate to about 7h 25m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
396 mi Β· 7h 25m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Torrance | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond and Torrance is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 1.8% below Torrance β $1,124,932 vs $606,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Torrance +0.9%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Torrance | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 76Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.8" | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Torrance (62.5Β°F) and Richmond (58.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: REDONDO BEACH, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Torrance | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,499 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $113,105 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.2% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between Torrance and Richmond (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.
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
- 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 β 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 household income compare in Torrance vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $113,105 in Torrance β a 20.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richmond more expensive than Torrance?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 1.8% higher than Torrance (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from Torrance, CA?
The driving distance is 396 mi and the route typically takes 7h 25m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Torrance to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 396 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 Richmond compare to Torrance?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Torrance MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Torrance?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $1,124,932 in Torrance β a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Torrance.
City profiles: Torrance, CA Β· Richmond, CA.