Moving from Oakland, CA to San Francisco, CA
Relocating between Oakland, CA and San Francisco, CA is a 65 mi drive — 1h 55m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
65 mi · 1h 55m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 580, I 880, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | San Francisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Oakland and San Francisco sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $716,248 in Oakland to $1,356,662 in San Francisco, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 62°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 20.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.6°F vs 56.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Francisco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.31 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% — $97,369 → $141,446 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco 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 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.
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 — 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 San Francisco compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and San Francisco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.2°F in San Francisco vs 59.6°F in Oakland (3.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.6 in vs 22.6 in.
How much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 89.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to San Francisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 65 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 45.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Francisco, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 65 mi and the route typically takes 1h 55m via I 580 and I 880. 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · San Francisco, CA.