Moving from Oakland, CA to Peoria, AZ
It is 742 mi between Oakland and Peoria — roughly 13h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
742 mi · 13h 33m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.6% moving from Oakland to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $716,248 in Oakland to $488,596 in Peoria, a 10.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 10.6°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Peoria sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.66 |
Household income lines up — $97,369 vs $93,403 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — 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
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 59.6°F in Oakland (10.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 22.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 31.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 10.6% lower than Oakland (103.316 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 742 mi and the route typically takes 13h 33m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Peoria, AZ.