Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Oakland, CA
It is a short 37 mi hop from Santa Clara, CA to Oakland, CA β roughly 48 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
37 mi Β· 48 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, CR G4, CR G6 |
| Major cities en route | Berkeley, Richmond, Vallejo, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.423 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 4.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,782,192 to $716,248 moving to Oakland.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 22.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clara (60.7Β°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 JOSE, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.53 |
Oakland households earn about 4.7% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $97,369 on 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 Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 59.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 43.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 37 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 4.7% higher than Santa Clara (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 37 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via I 880 and CR G4. 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Oakland, CA.