($1,558) Movers From Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Minneapolis to Oakland

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

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

• Rent prices in Oakland are 48% higher than in Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis.
  Home prices in Oakland are 135.5% higher than in Minneapolis.
• Income in Oakland is 34.7% higher than in Minneapolis, 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 19.3% lower than in Minneapolis. 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 82.3% higher than in Minneapolis.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland and Minneapolis.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 13.51% higher than in Minneapolis.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 35.03% higher than in Minneapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,420.00 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Minneapolis.

How life is different in Minneapolis vs. Oakland

• Oakland and Minneapolis have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in California easier.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Oakland will be about the same as it currently is in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis. Oakland is considered more walkable than Minneapolis, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 71 out of 100 in Minneapolis. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Oakland, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Minneapolis. While Minneapolis has a bike-friendliness score of 83 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 Minneapolis, 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 56.06 in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis, whose index is Minneapolis's 43.94. 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis vs. Oakland move

• Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a California moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Oakland. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Oakland

Ready to relocate to "Town"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Oakland.

Helpful moving resources