Moving from Oakland, CA to Glendale, AZ
It is 734 mi between Oakland and Glendale — roughly 13h 26m 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.
734 mi · 13h 26m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Glendale at 103.316 vs Oakland at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $716,248 to $407,332 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 8.3" |
Annual temperature rises 12.3°F moving to Glendale per NOAA normals.
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.88 |
Glendale households earn about 10.6% less than Oakland at the median — $97,369 → $70,139 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 59.6°F in Oakland (12.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 22.6 in.
Is Glendale more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 10.6% lower than Oakland (103.316 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 734 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 43.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 734 mi and the route typically takes 13h 26m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Glendale, AZ.