Cost of Living Comparison for Oakland, CA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Oakland's cost of living index is 175 — 75% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Oakland local data
How Oakland Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Oakland stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Oakland, CA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $780,000 | $420,800 | +85.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,895 | $1,713 | +10.6% |
| Median Household Income | $76,800 | $74,580 | +3.0% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.68% | 1.10% | -38.2% |
| Cost of Living Index | 175 | 100 | +75.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Oakland Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 440,000
- Unemployment
- 5.5%
- Avg Commute
- 31 min
- Median Age
- 37.5
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 34.3x
- Annual Property Tax
- $5,304
Cost of Living Comparison in Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Oakland
What is the median home price in Oakland, CA?
The median home price in Oakland is $780,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Oakland?
Median monthly rent in Oakland is $1,895. That works out to $22,740/year, or 30% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Oakland affordable?
Oakland's cost of living index is 175 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $76,800/year and a median home price of $780,000, the price-to-income ratio is 10.2x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Oakland household.
What is the property tax rate in Oakland?
The effective property tax rate in Oakland is 0.68% of assessed value. On the median home of $780,000, that's roughly $5,304/year ($442/month).