Moving from Tacoma, WA to Oakland, CA
Relocating 775 mi from Tacoma to Oakland is a 14h 56m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
775 mi Β· 14h 56m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 505, I 5, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Tacoma and Oakland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $493,840 in Tacoma to $716,248 in Oakland, a 4.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 22.6" |
Expect 5.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.53 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.0% higher in Oakland than Tacoma.
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 Washington 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 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 45.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Oakland, CA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 775 mi and the route typically takes 14h 56m via I 505 and I 5. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 775 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Oakland more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 4.0% higher than Tacoma (115.613 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 16.1% 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Oakland, CA.