Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Berkeley, CA
It is a 410 mi drive, roughly 7h 40m, between Huntington Beach, CA and Berkeley, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
410 mi Β· 7h 40m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Berkeley | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.8% above Huntington Beach β $1,366,658 β $1,443,684 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 26.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4Β°F moving to Berkeley per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Berkeley β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.57 |
Households in Berkeley earn about 1.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley 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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 410 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 1.8% higher than Huntington Beach (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 410 mi and the route typically takes 7h 40m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 5.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 9.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Berkeley, CA.