Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Oakland, CA
It is 639 mi between Hillsboro and Oakland β roughly 12h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
639 mi Β· 12h 23m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 505, I 5, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.7% above Hillsboro β 105.421 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature rises 7.1Β°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.53 |
Households in Oakland earn about 9.7% 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.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 37.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Oakland, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 639 mi and the route typically takes 12h 23m via I 505 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oakland more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 9.7% higher than Hillsboro (115.613 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 5.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 639 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 Oakland compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Oakland, CA.