Cost of Living in Oakland, CA

Population 438,072 · California · Data vintage 2023

240

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Oakland's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $925,000 for a typical home, 203% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $97,369 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Cost Overview

Housing 303

Rent 146

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Oakland

The median home value in Oakland is $924,700 — 203% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,917/month, 46% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,369/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Oakland has a cost of living index of 240 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 140% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$924,700

203% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$700,828

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,917/mo

46% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,526/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

40.2x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

0.7%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,195

1 BR

$1,241

2 BR

$1,544

3 BR

$2,163

4 BR

$2,556

Owner-occupied 41.7%

Renter-occupied 58.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,917

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,531/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

33.6 min

24% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

23.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

47.8%

Carpooled

7.2%

Public transit

14.5%

Walked

3.0%

Bicycle

1.9%

Work from home

23.4%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%

Total Sales Tax 8.7%

State rate 7.3%

Avg local rate 1.4%

Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$97,369

31% above avg

Per Capita Income

$58,987

Unemployment Rate

6.0%

25% above avg

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Labor Force Participation

68.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.5%

Graduate degree 21.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6

Male median age 37.2

Female median age 38.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good

54%

Good air days/yr

130

Max AQI recorded

219

PM2.5 days

129

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Oakland, CA?

Oakland has a cost index of 240 (100 = national average). It is 140% above the national average.

What is average rent in Oakland, CA?

The median gross rent in Oakland is $1,917 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Oakland?

The median home value in Oakland is $924,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Oakland?

The median household income in Oakland is $97,369 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Oakland, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Oakland is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Oakland, CA affordable?

Oakland is above average in cost of living, with an index of 240 — about 140% higher than the national average.

Oakland at a Glance

Population: 438,072
Median Income: $97,369
Home Value: $924,700
Median Rent: $1,917/mo
Unemployment: 6.0%
Sales Tax: 8.7%

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