($1,661) Movers From Boise, ID to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Boise to Oakland

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

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

• Rent prices in Oakland are 47% higher than in Boise, 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 Boise.
  Home prices in Oakland are 52.8% higher than in Boise.
• Income in Oakland is 23.4% higher than in Boise, 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 in Oakland is 23.3% lower than in Boise. 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 26.0% higher than in Boise.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 25.00% higher than in Boise.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 70.83% higher than in Boise.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 129.31% higher than in Boise.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,301.95 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boise.

How life is different in Boise vs. Oakland

• The population of Oakland is about 87% greater than Boise, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Boise, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Boise. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Oakland neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boise. Based on its score of 75 out of 100, Oakland isn’t as walkable as Boise, which has a score of 88 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 Oakland, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boise. While Boise has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, Oakland earned a 65. 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.
• The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Boise, 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 34.99 in Boise. 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 Boise, whose index is Boise's 65.01. 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.
• The air quality in Oakland and Boise 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 Boise 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