Moving from Seattle, WA to San Jose, CA
A move from Seattle, WA to San Jose, CA covers 843 mi and around 16h 17m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
843 mi · 16h 17m by car · CA → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 505, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Jose and Seattle is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Jose is 0.6% above Seattle — $868,680 vs $1,463,614 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 16.1" |
San Jose runs 8.3°F warmer on the annual average (53.2°F vs 61.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
San Jose gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.03 |
Median household income in San Jose is 0.6% above Seattle ($121,984 → $141,565, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and San Jose?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.5°F in San Jose vs 53.2°F in Seattle (8.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 16.1 in vs 37.8 in.
Is San Jose more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 0.6% lower than Seattle (110.423 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 843 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Jose, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 843 mi and the route typically takes 16h 17m via I 5 and I 505. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 68.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · San Jose, CA.