Moving from Oakland, CA to High Point, NC
Moving from Oakland, CA to High Point, NC is a 2750 mi cross-country relocation — about 48h 27m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2750 mi · 48h 27m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, I 81 |
| 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 | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
High Point is 19.7% cheaper than Oakland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in High Point is 19.7% below Oakland — $716,248 vs $249,821 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Oakland (59.6°F) and High Point (61.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
High Point averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.56 |
Median household income in High Point is 19.7% below Oakland ($97,369 vs $61,228, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is High Point, NC from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 2750 mi and the route typically takes 48h 27m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is High Point more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 19.7% lower than Oakland (92.865 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in High Point compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and High Point?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in High Point vs 59.6°F in Oakland (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 22.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · High Point, NC.