Moving from San Jose, CA to Hollywood, FL
A 2974 mi cross-country move between San Jose and Hollywood is 53h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2974 mi Β· 53h 24m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 155.551 | 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
3.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 65.0" |
Annual temperature rises 14.6Β°F moving to Hollywood per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.53 |
Hollywood households earn about 3.4% less than San Jose at the median β $141,565 β $65,359 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hollywood, FL from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 2974 mi and the route typically takes 53h 24m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2974 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hollywood more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 3.4% higher than San Jose (114.155 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 53.8% 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 San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Hollywood, FL.