Moving from Westminster, CO to Oakland, CA
It is 1244 mi between Westminster and Oakland — roughly 21h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1244 mi · 21h 23m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.3% above Westminster — 105.782 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 45°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 72°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature rises 7.2°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Oakland — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 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.
Moving between Colorado 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
When is the best time to move from Westminster 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 1244 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 35.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 9.3% higher than Westminster (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1244 mi and the route typically takes 21h 23m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Oakland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.6°F in Oakland vs 52.4°F in Westminster (7.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 22.6 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Oakland, CA.