Best overall value
Local moving companies in Phoenix
- Gilbert Moving & Storage: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Dose Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Moving Team Six LLC: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Camelback Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Mentors Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3190108
Alternate Names: Gilbert Moving and Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $155/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2523039
Alternate Names: Dose Moving Delivery Staging LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2315604
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1635834
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2911596
Alternate Names: Mentors Moving & Storage of Arizona LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Phoenix to Oakland
What to know before moving from Phoenix to Oakland
Moving from Phoenix to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Phoenix, 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:
| Phoenix | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $2,200 |
| Average home value | $411,139 | $736,156 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,552 | $94,389 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,369 | $3,146 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,226 | $8,584 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.5% |
| Sales tax | 8.6% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Oakland, since prices are typically 30% higher than in Phoenix.
- The home prices in Oakland are 79.1% higher than in Phoenix, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Oakland, where incomes are, on average, 46.2% higher than in Phoenix. Major 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 32.8% higher than in Phoenix. 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 64.3% higher than in Phoenix.
- The unemployment rate in Oakland is 31.82% lower than in Phoenix.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Oakland, since its sales taxes are 19.19% higher than what you are paying in Phoenix.
- State income taxes in Oakland are 432.00% higher than in Phoenix.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,983.96 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.
How life is different in Phoenix vs. Oakland
| Oakland | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,646 | 1,608,139 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 65 | 56 |
| Crime Index | 68.62 | 53.06 |
| Safety Index | 31.38 | 46.94 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Oakland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 73% less than Phoenix.
- Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Phoenix, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. Oakland is considered more walkable than Phoenix, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix is rated as 56 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Phoenix, 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 53.06 in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix, whose index is 46.94. 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.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Oakland has better air quality than in Phoenix. Oakland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Phoenix. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Phoenix 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.
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
After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Oakland has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Oakland include museums and art centers like the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, USS Potomac, Oakland Aviation Museum, and African American Museum and Library.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Lakeside Park and Garden Center — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Oakland Athletics (MLB) and Oakland Roots DC (USLC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Oakland?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Phoenix to Oakland You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Phoenix.
When is the cheapest time to move from Phoenix to Oakland?
Because spring and fall moves from Phoenix to Oakland are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Phoenix to Oakland take?
The 743-mile journey from Phoenix, AZ to Oakland, CA, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Phoenix offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Oakland.
