Moving from San Mateo, CA to Oakland, CA
Relocating from San Mateo, CA to Oakland, CA? The drive is 26 mi β about 34 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
26 mi Β· 34 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 92, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Oakland | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 115.613 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $716,248 moving to Oakland.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 22.6" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Oakland (59.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Oakland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.53 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% β $152,669 β $97,369 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 far is Oakland, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via CA 92 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 57.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 26 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Oakland, CA.