Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Oakland, CA
Relocating between Santa Rosa, CA and Oakland, CA is a 63 mi drive — 1h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
63 mi · 1h 22m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 580, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.3% above Santa Rosa — 107.784 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Santa Rosa to Oakland — $718,726 vs $716,248 (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 45°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 72°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 22.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.53 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
Is Oakland more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 7.3% higher than Santa Rosa (115.613 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 63 mi and the route typically takes 1h 22m via US 101 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 63 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Oakland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.6°F in Oakland vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 22.6 in vs 31.5 in.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 0.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Oakland, CA.