($1,548) Movers From Columbia, SC to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Columbia to Oakland

Moving from Columbia to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Columbia, 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 52% higher than in Columbia, 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 Columbia.
  Home prices in Oakland are 233.7% higher than in Columbia.
• Income in Oakland is 45.9% higher than in Columbia, 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 60.8% higher than in Columbia. 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 100.8% higher than in Columbia.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 13.46% lower than in Columbia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 28.13% higher than in Columbia.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 90.00% higher than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,825.15 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Oakland

• The population of Oakland is about 223% greater than Columbia, 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 Columbia, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbia. 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 Columbia. Oakland is considered more walkable than Columbia, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Columbia. 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 Columbia 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 Columbia is rated as 35 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Columbia, 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 3.0 in Columbia. 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 Columbia, whose index is Columbia's 48.39. 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 Columbia 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 Columbia vs. Oakland move

• Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While California doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Oakland without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Oakland

With your sights set on "Town", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Oakland.

Helpful moving resources