Moving from San Jose, CA to Vallejo, CA
It is a 71 mi drive, roughly 1h 27m, between San Jose, CA and Vallejo, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
71 mi Β· 1h 27m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 780, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 21.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.84 |
Vallejo households earn about 1.8% less than San Jose at the median β $141,565 β $89,496 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 71 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Vallejo more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 1.8% lower than San Jose (108.479 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 36.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 64.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Vallejo, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 71 mi and the route typically takes 1h 27m via I 680 and I 780. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Vallejo compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Vallejo, CA.