--- title: Reno vs the Bay Area: Housing, Tax and the Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/reno-vs-bay-area/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving to Reno and Sparks: the complete guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/) - Reno vs the Bay Area # Reno vs the Bay Area San Francisco is 247.6 road miles and San Jose 255.0 miles from our Sparks warehouse, and the median home value in Reno is $548,300 against $1,394,500 in San Francisco. About 53,289 people moved from California to Nevada in 2024, the Census Bureau estimates. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The Bay Area is one of the two largest sources of Reno-bound moves, along with Sacramento. The pull is housing and tax; the trade is distance and a different climate. Here are the numbers on each side. ## Housing: the biggest difference The 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey shows a median home value of $1,394,500 in San Francisco city and $1,233,200 in San Jose city, against $548,300 in Reno city and $483,800 in Sparks. Median gross rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $2,669 in San Jose, against $1,556 in Reno and $1,716 in Sparks. Median household income runs $140,970 in San Francisco and $146,427 in San Jose, against $80,760 in Reno, so the comparison depends on whether your income moves with you. Remote work makes the housing gap easier to use. ## The drive over Donner Summit From San Francisco the road is 247.6 miles, about 5 h 18 min of driving, and from San Jose 255.0 miles, about 5 h, on I-80 and I-680. Both cross Donner Summit at roughly 7,200 feet. Winter storms can require chains on the summit, and a moving crew plans around the forecast. See [winter driving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/). Because Nevada and California are different states, this is an interstate move. You book with O'Brien's, and we coordinate the move from your Bay Area origin through the Bekins network, then deliver, unpack and store in Sparks. The written estimate sets the delivery window. ## Taxes California's Franchise Tax Board lists a top income tax rate of 12.3 percent for 2025, and the state's base sales tax is 7.25 percent. Nevada has no individual income tax. If you keep a California job, ask a tax professional about residency rules before you move. ## Weather and daily life San Francisco's July high averages 66.3 F and January's 57.8 F, with 22.89 inches of rain and no snow. Reno's July high averages 93.9 F, January's 47.7 F, with 7.35 inches of precipitation and 20.9 inches of snow. Expect hotter, drier summers and colder winters, and a smaller city with outdoor recreation near the front door. Many Bay Area households downsize on arrival. O'Brien's offers vault storage from $40 per month and partial packing, which suits a house-to-smaller-house move. See [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/). ## The numbers on the flow The Census Bureau's 2024 one-year estimates count about 53,289 people moving from California to Nevada and about 21,133 moving the other way, with margins of error near 6,970 and 4,646. California is the largest source state in both directions. The [moving from California guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/from-california/) has the deadlines and the data. Call 775-359-6683 for a free in-home estimate with 10 free heavy-duty boxes you keep. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/) - [California Franchise Tax Board, 2025 Tax Rate Schedules](https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2025/2025-540-tax-rate-schedules.pdf) - [NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) ### Licensed movers U.S. DOT No. 30611 MC-109375 Nevada CPCN 1070 Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's) Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955 [Check our USDOT record](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=30611) · [Ready to Move? (FMCSA)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) [Licenses and authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving to Reno from California](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/from-california/) - [Reno vs Sacramento](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/reno-vs-sacramento/) - [Who moves to Reno: Census migration data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/data/who-moves-to-reno/) - [How an interstate move works with a Bekins agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/how-interstate-moves-work/) Moving to Reno guides ## Read next - [Sparks vs Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/sparks-vs-reno/) - [Carson City vs Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/carson-city-vs-reno/) - [Retiring in Reno and Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/retiring-in-reno/) - [Retiring in Carson City and the Carson Valley](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/retiring-in-carson-valley/) - [Moving to Lake Tahoe: North Shore vs South Shore](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-to-lake-tahoe/) - [New Nevada resident checklist: first 30, 60, 90 days](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/new-resident-checklist/) - [Washoe County property taxes and the abatement cap](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/property-taxes/) - [Renting in Reno: what newcomers should know](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/renting-in-reno/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How far is Reno from San Francisco? 247.6 road miles from our Sparks warehouse, about 5 h 18 min of driving. ### Is Reno cheaper than the Bay Area? Median home value in Reno city is $548,300 against $1,394,500 in San Francisco city and $1,233,200 in San Jose city. ### How many Californians moved to Nevada? About 53,289 in 2024 per the Census Bureau's one-year estimate, and about 21,133 moved from Nevada to California. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) A Ami M. February 7, 2023 O'Brien's is great! They made my move easy. They were responsive, professional and accommodating. Trusting them with my move was one less thing I had to worry about. ### Owner's reply Ami thank you so much! It was a pleasure to assist you with your move and knowing that we were able to lessen any stress you may have had with the moving process, makes us so happy!! If you need anything in the future please let us know. M Mike K. August 30, 2019 The best customer service ever! ### Owner's reply Thanks Mike we sincerely appreciate you and your business! P Patrick R. September 19, 2026 The two gentlemen that helped me move today were very Helpful and professional! ## Get a long-distance estimate Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070