Moving from Ontario, CA to Oakland, CA
Moving from Ontario, CA to Oakland, CA covers 404 mi and about 7h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
404 mi Β· 7h 34m 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
| Ontario | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Ontario to 115.613 in Oakland, a 8.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Oakland at $716,248 is 8.6% above Ontario at $672,742.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 22.6" |
Oakland is 7.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 59.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Oakland is 8.6% above Ontario ($82,806 β $97,369, ACS 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 much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 6.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 404 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 Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 404 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 17.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oakland more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 8.6% higher than Ontario (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Oakland, CA.