($1,363) Movers From Salt Lake City, UT to Oakland, CA

What to know before moving from Salt Lake City to Oakland

Moving from Salt Lake City to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Salt Lake City, 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 47% higher than in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City.
  Home prices in Oakland are 34.0% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• Income in Oakland is 47.5% higher than in Salt Lake City, 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 44.8% higher than in Salt Lake City. 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 77.8% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 50.00% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 32.26% higher than in Salt Lake City.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 168.69% higher than in Salt Lake City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,345.30 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Salt Lake City.

How life is different in Salt Lake City vs. Oakland

• The population of Oakland is about 120% greater than Salt Lake City, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Oakland will be about the same as it currently is in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. Oakland is considered more walkable than Salt Lake City, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 59 out of 100 in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. While Salt Lake City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 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 Salt Lake City, 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 34.64 in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City, whose index is Salt Lake City's 65.36. 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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