($1,598) Movers From Atlanta, GA to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Atlanta to Oakland

Moving from Atlanta to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Atlanta, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Oakland are 16% higher than in Atlanta, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Atlanta.
  Home prices in Oakland are 89.6% higher than in Atlanta.
• Income in Oakland is 42.8% higher than in Atlanta, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oakland include Kaiser Permanente, Dreyer's, and The Clorox Company.
• The cost of living for a single person is the same in Oakland and Atlanta. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Oakland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oakland is 9.7% higher than in Atlanta.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 25.00% lower than in Atlanta.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 15.17% higher than in Atlanta.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 142.26% higher than in Atlanta.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,011.49 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Atlanta.

How life is different in Atlanta vs. Oakland

• Oakland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 12% less than Atlanta.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Oakland will be about the same as it currently is in Atlanta. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Oakland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Atlanta. Oakland is considered more walkable than Atlanta, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 48 out of 100 in Atlanta. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Oakland is considered more bike-friendly than Atlanta in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, while Atlanta is rated as 42 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Atlanta, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 68.62 in Oakland, it is 64.23 in Atlanta. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Oakland. With a crime index of 31.38, Oakland ranks lower in overall safety than Atlanta, whose index is Atlanta's 35.77. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Oakland has better air quality than in Atlanta. Oakland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Atlanta. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Atlanta vs. Oakland move

• Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
• 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California 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 Oakland. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Oakland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Oakland.

Helpful moving resources