Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Cleveland, OH
It is 2361 mi and 41h 50m from Bakersfield to Cleveland β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2361 mi Β· 41h 50m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Victorville, Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.9% moving from Bakersfield to Cleveland β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,047 in Bakersfield to $115,537 in Cleveland, a 6.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 33.3" |
Expect 12.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.18 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.9% β $77,397 β $39,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 70.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2361 mi and the route typically takes 41h 50m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 49.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 6.9% lower than Bakersfield (93.923 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Cleveland, OH.