Moving from Everett, WA to Oakland, CA
It is 834 mi between Everett and Oakland β roughly 16h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
834 mi Β· 16h 8m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 505, OR 99 |
| 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
| Everett | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 111.133 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Everett -0.9%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Everett | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.3" | 22.6" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Oakland per NOAA normals.
Oakland gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVERETT, WA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Everett | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $81,502 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.53 |
Households in Oakland earn about 4.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
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 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.
- 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 β 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 β 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 household income compare in Everett vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $81,502 in Everett β a 19.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Everett?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $662,786 in Everett β a 8.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Everett?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $65,260 in the Everett MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oakland more expensive than Everett?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 4.0% higher than Everett (115.613 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Everett to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 834 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Oakland, CA from Everett, WA?
The driving distance is 834 mi and the route typically takes 16h 8m via I 5 and I 505. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Everett.
City profiles: Everett, WA Β· Oakland, CA.