Moving from El Monte, CA to Oakland, CA
It is a 379 mi drive, roughly 7h 4m, between El Monte, CA and Oakland, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
379 mi · 7h 4m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
El Monte and Oakland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Oakland run about 1.8% cheaper — ZHVI $765,444 → $716,248 (2026-03).
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 45°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 72°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.53 |
Oakland households earn about 1.8% more than El Monte at the median — $64,484 → $97,369 on ACS 2023.
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
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 6.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 51.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Oakland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.6°F in Oakland vs 66.0°F in El Monte (6.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 22.6 in vs 15.7 in.
Is Oakland more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 1.8% higher than El Monte (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oakland, CA from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 379 mi and the route typically takes 7h 4m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 379 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Oakland, CA.