Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Hollywood, FL
It is 2742 mi and 49h 1m from Bakersfield to Hollywood β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2742 mi Β· 49h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.2% above Bakersfield β 100.886 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 13.2% above Bakersfield β $396,047 β $439,400 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 65.0" |
Expect 11.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.53 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.2% lower in Hollywood than Bakersfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Hollywood, FL from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2742 mi and the route typically takes 49h 1m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2742 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 Hollywood compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 10.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hollywood more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 13.2% higher than Bakersfield (114.155 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· Hollywood, FL.