($1,617) Movers From Oakland, CA to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Oakland to Rochester

Moving from Oakland to Rochester means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Oakland than in Rochester, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Oakland compares to Rochester so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Rochester are 43% lower than in Oakland, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Rochester.
  Home prices in Rochester are 72.8% lower than in Oakland.
• Income in Rochester is 32.0% lower than in Oakland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• The cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 27.7% lower than in Oakland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 42.7% lower than in Oakland.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 117.78% higher than in Oakland.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 21.95% lower than in Oakland.
• One perk of moving to Rochester is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.05% lower than in Oakland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,168.47 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How life is different in Oakland vs. Rochester

• Rochester might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 52% less than Oakland.
• Getting around Rochester without a car might be more difficult than in Oakland. Rochester has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Oakland is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Rochester neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Oakland. Based on its score of 61 out of 100, Rochester isn’t as walkable as Oakland, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Rochester, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Oakland. While Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, Rochester earned a 60. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Rochester has a lower crime rate than Oakland based on scores of 37.54 and Oakland's 68.62, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Rochester than in Oakland, based on Rochester’s safety index of 36.66 versus 31.38 for Oakland. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Rochester and Oakland is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Oakland vs. Rochester move

• Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Rochester. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Rochester

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Flour City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Rochester.

Helpful moving resources