Moving from Round Rock, TX to Oakland, CA
Moving from Round Rock, TX to Oakland, CA is a 1763 mi cross-country relocation — about 30h 53m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1763 mi · 30h 53m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.066 in Round Rock to 115.613 in Oakland, a 17.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Oakland: 17.9% above Round Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.53 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland 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.
Moving between Texas and California
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 — 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 — 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 Oakland, CA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1763 mi and the route typically takes 30h 53m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oakland more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 17.9% higher than Round Rock (115.613 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1763 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 75.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 0.2% 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Oakland, CA.