Moving from Berkeley, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Moving from Berkeley, CA to Santa Clara, CA is a 47 mi drive, about 60 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
47 mi Β· 60 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, I 80, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Berkeley (115.613) and Santa Clara (110.423) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Santa Clara: 4.5% above Berkeley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Santa Clara is 4.5% above Berkeley ($108,558 vs $173,670, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 4.5% lower than Berkeley (110.423 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 23.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 60.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 47 mi and the route typically takes 60 min via I 880 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 47 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Santa Clara, CA.