Moving from Hollywood, FL to Berkeley, CA

Cross-country relocations like Hollywood, FL β†’ Berkeley, CA cover 3013 mi and about 53h 60m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.

3013 mi Β· 53h 60m by car Β· FL β†’ AL β†’ MS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL +1.3% Home values +228.6% Ξ” -17.6Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
3013 mi
Drive time
53h 60m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
121 gal
Route throughFL β†’ AL β†’ MS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, I 20, US 287
Major cities en routeMiami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Miami Gardens

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

HollywoodBerkeleyU.S. avg
All items (RPP)114.155115.613100.0
Rents97.235172.585100.0
Goods103.556108.465100.0
Services155.551194.718100.0

Berkeley and Hollywood are close on the overall BEA RPP (114.155 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Hollywood β€” typical home
$439,400
Berkeley β€” typical home
$1,443,684
Hollywood β€” typical rent
$2,277/mo
Berkeley β€” typical rent
$3,085/mo

Housing gap is large: Berkeley typical home at $1,443,684 is 1.3% above Hollywood at $439,400 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Hollywood -5.8%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsHollywoodBerkeley
Annual avg temperature76Β°F59Β°F
January avg low59Β°F43Β°F
July avg high90Β°F74Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”0.0"
Annual precipitation65.0"26.1"

NOAA normals show Berkeley running 17.6Β°F below Hollywood on the annual mean.

Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Berkeley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOLLYWOOD, FL US, BERKELEY, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023HollywoodBerkeley
Population152,935120,223
Median household income$65,359$108,558
Median age4132.9
Bachelor's degree or higher19.8%33.4%
Avg household size2.532.57

Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.3% between Hollywood and Berkeley (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Hollywood MSA β€” median wage
$46,510
Berkeley MSA β€” median wage
$72,050
Hollywood MSA β€” employment
2,721,490
Berkeley MSA β€” employment
2,422,210

Top occupations in Berkeley MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Florida and California

Florida income tax
no state income tax
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

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 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

  • Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
  • 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

  • You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
  • 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 far is Berkeley, CA from Hollywood, FL?

The driving distance is 3013 mi and the route typically takes 53h 60m 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 Hollywood to Berkeley?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3013 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 Berkeley compare to Hollywood?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Hollywood vs Berkeley?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $65,359 in Hollywood β€” a 66.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Hollywood?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $439,400 in Hollywood β€” a 228.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Berkeley more expensive than Hollywood?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 1.3% higher than Hollywood (115.613 vs 114.155, 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 Hollywood.

City profiles: Hollywood, FL Β· Berkeley, CA.

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