Moving from Fullerton, CA to Oakland, CA
It is a 394 mi drive, roughly 7h 22m, between Fullerton, CA and Oakland, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
394 mi Β· 7h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Oakland | 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 |
Fullerton and Oakland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,050,945 in Fullerton to $716,248 in Oakland, a 1.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.6Β°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.53 |
Households in Oakland earn about 1.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland 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 the job market in Oakland compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton 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 Oakland compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 31.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 6.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oakland more expensive than Fullerton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 1.8% higher than Fullerton (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 394 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Oakland, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 394 mi and the route typically takes 7h 22m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 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 Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Oakland, CA.