149 movers in Oakland
Cal Van Lines
"This was a long move and the first time I have ever moved this far and with a moving company. It was the worst experience I have experienced in my life. I would never, ever use this company again, as long as I live. I had to make a claim with Cal ..."
Father and Son Movers
"Dealing with this company was a terrible experience. The mover did not complete the move. Instead, part way through, he said he had another job to do and would return in a day and a half. When he returned (later than promised), he insisted I pay h..."
Preferred Movers
"Worst experience ever! We hired them trying to support local a family business, which are also more affordable; however, this time was a very costly decision for us, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of time, effort and stress. Sinc..."
EHM Moving
"If I could rate them less than one I would. Worst experience ever tried to change quote even after confirmation text. When I copied text their quote back to them then I received a ranting maniac cursing and threatening me telling he had my inform..."
Muscles for Moving
"Hi. Muscles for moving stole all my stuff. I contacted BBB. And they did nothing. I had things over 30 years and some where when I was a kid. My mother was there paid them my money. TI them. Someone said it be nice to tip there. The owner lie abou..."
California Moving Systems
"I seriously suspect the ratings I see for California Moving Systems on various sites as my extremely poor customer service experience was not an anomaly. We used CMS to complete a move from California to Florida and we couldn't have received worst..."
House To Home Moving
"I only review when a business provides me with an exceptional experience that I take the time to review them. Unfortunately this time I am writing a review for on ongoing exceptionally negative experience. A little background on how and why w..."
Fuller Moving Service
"Beware!!!! I would seriously caution anyone on using this company for their moving needs because They engage in very unethical business practices such as the following: 1. We were quoted an estimated price for our belongings that was much heavier ..."
Hollister Moving and Storage
"I contracted with Hollister Moving and Storage to move me from Hollister to Wyoming. Though they ([NAME EDIT]) promised to 'take care' of me, it was absolutely my worst nightmare! They damaged or 'lost' everything that I own(ed). They now refuse t..."
What to know when moving to Oakland, CA
TL;DR: Oakland at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated ZIP where 24% hold a bachelor's degree and 65.5% are renters.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $66,651, providing a solid economic backdrop.
- The Reality Check:
- Poverty rate is 17.5%, indicating some economic challenges.
- Commute:
- 12.7% of residents use public transit for commuting.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $1,651 in rent, which is the median gross rent in the area.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Oakland's population of 52,289 reflects a community where renters dominate, making up 65.5% of households. The median gross rent stands at $1,651, which can be a significant factor for those looking to move. With a median household income of $66,651, the area presents a mix of affordability and economic diversity. However, the poverty rate of 17.5% suggests that while there are opportunities, there are also some residents facing financial challenges.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for a low poverty rate or a majority homeowner environment.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,651, which means budgeting around this amount is wise.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $703,100, indicating a relatively high cost for homeownership.
- 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, reflecting the education level in the area.
- The poverty rate of 17.5% suggests economic challenges for some residents.
- 12.7% of the population commutes via public transit.
- 65.5% of households are renters, showing a significant rental market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In California, the state-level crime statistics show a mixed picture. The violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 27.7% higher than the national rate. However, the property crime rate is 1,764 per 100,000, which is 14% higher than the national average. Notably, both rates have seen a decrease in recent years, with violent crime down 17.4% and property crime down 26.1% since 2022.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k vs national 325.3 per 100k, down 17.4% since 2022.
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100k vs national 1,546.9 per 100k, down 26.1% since 2022.
- Notable trend: Homicide rate down 44.9% since 2022, currently at 3.2 per 100k.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Oakland has access to a variety of educational institutions. There are 46 postsecondary institutions in the area, with 44 providing College Scorecard data. Notable nearby options include:
- Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
- Laney College
- Samuel Merritt University
- Merritt College
- International College of Cosmetology
Source: NCES Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Alameda County receives about 18.6 inches of precipitation annually, with 63 rainy days. Winters bring the most rain, totaling 12.5 inches, while summers are quite dry with only 0.1 inches. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy several nearby parks, including:
- Tilden Regional Park - 4.8 stars from 3,937 reviews
- Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park - 4.8 stars from 3,485 reviews
- Oakland Museum of California - 4.7 stars from 3,624 reviews
- USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum - 4.8 stars from 3,196 reviews
Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Alameda County, the unemployment rate stands at 4.4% as of December 2025. There are about 829,527 employed individuals out of a labor force of 867,681, indicating a relatively healthy job market.
- Unemployment rate: 4.4% as of December 2025.
- Employed: 829,527 individuals.
- Labor force: 867,681 individuals.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
