Moving from Oakland, CA to Santa Clara, CA
It is a short 37 mi hop from Oakland, CA to Santa Clara, CA β roughly 48 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
37 mi Β· 48 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, CR G4, CR G6 |
| Major cities en route | Berkeley, Richmond, Vallejo, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 211.901 | 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
4.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 4.5% more than Oakland at the median β $97,369 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 4.5% lower than Oakland (110.423 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 37 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via I 880 and CR G4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 148.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 37 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 78.4% higher 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Santa Clara, CA.