Best Detroit to Oakland Movers

How Much Do Detroit to Oakland Movers Cost?

Moving 2,491 miles from Detroit, MI to Oakland, CA will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Oakland that already have a booked job heading from Oakland to Detroit. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Oakland from Detroit entirely empty. If you can find a Oakland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Detroit to Oakland moving option

Hire local Detroit movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Oakland movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Detroit to Oakland move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Detroit to Oakland movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Detroit, MI to Oakland, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Detroit to Oakland moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 21 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Detroit and Oakland areas.

From these 21 companies, we analyzed a total of 5,158 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 6 state and federal moving licenses from these 21 companies and 106 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~5,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 1,560 Detroit to Oakland moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer.

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Detroit to Oakland moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.71/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 3,401 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.28/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 1,245 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.92/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 761 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.39/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 1,438 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.28/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 600 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.78/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 1,381 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.12/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 2,021 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.31/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 3,447 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.61/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 2,101 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.05/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 441 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.15/10 avg (Detroit & Oakland combined) from 1,722 reviews

From Detroit to Oakland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Corktown in Detroit & Temescal in Oakland are both known for their: historic district, breweries & eateries
• Detroit's Midtown neighborhood & Oakland's Uptown both share: arts & cultural events and nightlife
• If you're moving from Downtown, check out Downtown Oakland in the Oakland area for the: urban core, high-rises & businesses
• Do you enjoy West Village's walkable village center & cafes? You're sure to love Rockridge
• Move from Palmer Woods to Crocker Highlands and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: affluent, historic homes & tree-lined streets
• Rosedale Park & Redwood Heights are both known for their: bungalow homes & tight-knit community
• Detroit's Boston Edison neighborhood & Oakland's Adams Point neighborhood both have: turn-of-the-century homes & cultural proximity
• If you're moving from Woodbridge, look into Old Oakland for the: Victorian architecture & downtown access
• Do you cherish living in Mexicantown's Latinx culture & authentic eateries? Move into Fruitvale for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Detroit to Oakland

ConsDetroit, MI

• Harsh winters
• Lower cost of living
• Historic sports culture
• Automotive industry jobs

ProsOakland, CA

• Milder climate
• Higher cost of living
• Diverse cultures
• Tech industry opportunities

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Oakland, CA

• Less musical heritage
• Expensive housing
• More transient population
• Far from lakes

Detroit, MI

• Rich music history
• Affordable housing
• Community feel
• Easy lake access

Pros of moving from Detroit to Oakland

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
• Look forward to moving away from a lower cost of living and moving to Oakland with a higher cost of living
• Swap the historic sports culture of Detroit for diverse cultures in Oakland
• Get ready for tech industry opportunities in Oakland

Cons of moving from Detroit to Oakland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich music history in Detroit to live with less musical heritage in Oakland
• You'll lose out on the pro of affordable housing and have to settle for the con of expensive housing
• Time to bid farewell to a community feel and get used to a more transient population in Oakland
• Swap easy lake access for being far from lakes

Detroit vs. Oakland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Detroit to Oakland, you will be trading the iconic Coney Dog of Detroit for the equally delicious San Francisco sourdough of Oakland. And while the locals in Detroit rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Shawarma, Oakland residents know they have tasty Korean BBQ and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Coney they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Oakland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Detroit eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Lafayette Coney Island. After the boxes are unpacked in Oakland, don't wait too long before making your way to Oakland's acclaimed eateries like Shandong Restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen, and Burma Superstar.

When comparing lifestyles, Oakland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Detroit. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oakland compared to what you are used to in Detroit. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oakland.

Discover Oakland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Oakland is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Detroit favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Selden Standard, Lady of the House, and Supino Pizzeria in Detroit, we're sure you'll love Wood Tavern, Belotti Ristorante, and Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland. See our Oakland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Detroit hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Rose's Fine Food, head to Sequoia Diner on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Detroit and Oakland

• The Historical and Bungalow architecture that Detroit is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Oakland.
• Compared to Detroit's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and historic charm, Oakland real estate listings often highlight features like eco-conscious designs and proximity to public transit.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oakland is more walkable than Detroit.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oakland is more bike-friendly than Detroit.
• Oakland has more of an urban feel than Detroit.
• Oakland housing costs are 1,023% more expensive than they are in Detroit, with a median home price of $803,291 compared to Detroit’s $71,547.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oakland have increased by 7% compared to a 60% increase in Detroit.
• Rent in Oakland is 96.39% more expensive than in Detroit.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA

1. Rockridge : You’ll love the abundance of pet-friendly cafes and the scenic trails at nearby Lake Temescal for your daily walks.
2. Grand Lake : This vibrant neighborhood offers easy access to pet-welcoming parks and local markets where you can bring your furry friends.
3. Piedmont Avenue : Enjoy a welcoming community with plenty of pet-friendly establishments and beautiful tree-lined streets for leisurely strolls.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Detroit and Oakland

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Detroit to Oakland. Oakland gets 40% more sunshine days than Detroit.
• Oakland has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Detroit.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Detroit, and be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oakland is 10 degrees colder than in Detroit.
• The average winter lows are 26 degrees warmer than they are in Detroit.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Oakland, as it receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Detroit.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Detroit and Oakland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oakland tend to earn about 128% more than in Detroit
• The COLI in Oakland is 40% higher than what you are used to living in Detroit
• The state income tax in CA is 13.3 compared to 4.25 in MI
• The affluence in Oakland is higher compared to lower affluence in Detroit
• The poverty level is lower in Oakland compared to higher poverty in Detroit
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Detroit and also significant in Oakland

Political and Religious Climate in Detroit vs. Oakland

• Detroit tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• Oakland, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Oakland's religious environment can be described as highly diverse, with notable Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim communities
• Detroit's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a large Christian population

Detroit vs. Oakland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 21% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Oakland compared to your commute in Detroit. That's 2600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Oakland to be worse than it is in Detroit.
• Public transit is more readily available in Oakland.