Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Toledo, OH
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β Toledo, OH cover 2259 mi and about 39h 59m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2259 mi Β· 39h 59m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Victorville, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Toledo are 9.3% below Bakersfield β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Toledo typical home at $129,627 is 9.3% under Bakersfield at $396,047 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 32.4" |
Climate cools by 13.7Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 51.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.3% between Bakersfield and Toledo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 38.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2259 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Toledo more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 9.3% lower than Bakersfield (91.455 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 67.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Toledo, OH from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2259 mi and the route typically takes 39h 59m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Toledo, OH.