Moving from Pomona, CA to Oakland, CA
The 394 mi from Pomona to Oakland translate to about 7h 21m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
394 mi · 7h 21m by car · 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
| Pomona | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Pomona (113.566) and Oakland (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $690,986 vs $716,248 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pomona -0.8%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pomona | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 45°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 72°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 22.6" |
Climate cools by 5.5°F on the annual average — 65.1°F → 59.6°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pomona | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $78,869 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.53 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Pomona and Oakland (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 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 Oakland compare to Pomona?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $50,490 in the Pomona MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Pomona?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 1.8% higher than Pomona (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Pomona?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $690,986 in Pomona — a 3.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Oakland, CA from Pomona, CA?
The driving distance is 394 mi and the route typically takes 7h 21m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Pomona and Oakland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.6°F in Oakland vs 65.1°F in Pomona (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 22.6 in vs 14.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Pomona to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 394 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Pomona vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $78,869 in Pomona — a 23.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pomona.
City profiles: Pomona, CA · Oakland, CA.