($1,418) Movers From Indianapolis, IN to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Oakland

Moving from Indianapolis to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Indianapolis, 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 57% higher than in Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis.
  Home prices in Oakland are 233.9% higher than in Indianapolis.
• Income in Oakland is 59.7% higher than in Indianapolis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oakland include Kaiser Permanente, Dreyer's, and The Clorox Company.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oakland, since the cost of living for a single person in Oakland is 12.2% higher than in Indianapolis. 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 28.8% higher than in Indianapolis.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 19.64% lower than in Indianapolis.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 46.43% higher than in Indianapolis.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 322.22% higher than in Indianapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,365.91 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.

How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Oakland

• Oakland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 50% less than Indianapolis.
• Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Indianapolis, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Indianapolis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Oakland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Oakland is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Indianapolis, 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 60.71 in Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis, whose index is Indianapolis's 39.29. 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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