Moving from Oxnard, CA to Berkeley, CA
Relocating between Oxnard, CA and Berkeley, CA is a 360 mi drive β 7h 10m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
360 mi Β· 7h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 880, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Maria, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 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
4.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 26.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Berkeley β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 34 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 2.57 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.6% higher in Berkeley than Oxnard.
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
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 88.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 360 mi and the route typically takes 7h 10m via US 101 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 360 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 Oxnard vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 16.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 4.6% higher than Oxnard (115.613 vs 110.534, 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 Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Berkeley, CA.