Key factors that impact the cost of your Las Vegas to Oakland movetoggle

The cost of Las Vegas movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Las Vegas to Oakland (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,461, while larger moves may reach $7,863 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Las Vegas.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $534 to $1,216, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Las Vegas to Oakland

Moving from Las Vegas to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Las Vegas, itโ€™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:

Las Vegas Oakland
Average rent cost $1,850 $2,200
Average home value $425,474 $736,156
Average income (per capita) $66,356 $94,389
Cost of living (single person) $2,763 $3,146
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,726 $8,584
Unemployment rate 8.9% 4.5%
Sales tax 8.38% 10.25%
State income tax 0.0% 13.3%
  • Rent prices in Oakland are 19% higher than in Las Vegas, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Las Vegas.
    Home prices in Oakland are 73.0% higher than in Las Vegas.
  • Income in Oakland is 42.2% higher than in Las Vegas, 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 13.9% higher than in Las Vegas. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™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 27.6% higher than in Las Vegas.
  • The unemployment rate in Oakland is 49.44% lower than in Las Vegas.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Oakland are 22.32% higher than in Las Vegas.
  • State income taxes in Oakland are 13.30% higher than in Las Vegas.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,415.85 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Las Vegas.

How life is different in Las Vegas vs. Oakland

Oakland Las Vegas
Population 440,646 641,903
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 5
Walkability score 75 93
Bike friendliness score 65 64
Crime Index 68.62 55.8
Safety Index 31.38 44.2
Air Quality Good Good
  • Oakland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 31% less than Las Vegas.
  • Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Las Vegas, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Las Vegas. 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 Las Vegas. Based on its score of 75 out of 100, Oakland isnโ€™t as walkable as Las Vegas, which has a score of 93 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.
  • Oakland and Las Vegas are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 65 and 64 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
  • The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Las Vegas, 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 55.8 in Las Vegas. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Oakland. With a crime index of 31.38, Oakland ranks lower in overall safety than Las Vegas, whose index is Las Vegas's 44.2. 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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas vs. Oakland move

  • Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
  • HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโ€”some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a โ€œT Numberโ€ 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in California, though it\โ€™s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toOakland Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Opt for Released Value Protection โ€“ 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Oakland

Now that youโ€™ve chosen "Town" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Oakland to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • Grand Lake
  • Piedmont Avenue
  • Rockridge
  • Temescal

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Fairview Park
  • Rockridge
  • Bushrod
  • Upper Rockridge
  • Lakeshore

Things to do in Oakland

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in California, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Oakland has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Oakland features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, USS Potomac, Oakland Aviation Museum, and African American Museum and Library.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Lakeside Park and Garden Center โ€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Oakland Athletics (MLB) and Oakland Roots DC (USLC) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Las Vegas to Oakland?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Las Vegas to Oakland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Las Vegas are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Las Vegas to Oakland?

With many people choosing to move from Las Vegas to Oakland in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Las Vegas to Oakland take?

Moving from Las Vegas, NV to Oakland, CA covers 556 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Las Vegas movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Oakland.

Helpful moving resources