Cost of living in Oakland, California
Alameda County, CA
Part of the San Francisco Metro Area
Population 1,651,949 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Oakland
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Oakland
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Oakland
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Oakland
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Oakland
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Oakland
State and local tax rates for California.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Oakland
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Oakland
What it costs to live in Oakland each month.
- Rent $2,201
- Energy $217
- Water $60
- Groceries $397
- Transport $250
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $945
- State tax $234
- Rent $2,682
- Energy $260
- Water $70
- Groceries $658
- Transport $350
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,759
- State tax $699
- Rent $3,432
- Energy $326
- Water $85
- Groceries $998
- Transport $450
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,759
- State tax $699
Frequently asked questions about Oakland
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Oakland?
In Oakland, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,201 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,682 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,432 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Oakland?
In Oakland, California, the average household income is $126,240 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $65,769 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Oakland?
The estimated cost of living in Oakland, California is approximately $4,784 per month for a single person, $7,342 for a couple, $10,299 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Oakland?
The combined sales tax rate in Oakland, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.
Is Oakland an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Oakland, California would need approximately $4,784 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $126,240 per year ($10,520 per month). Oakland is relatively affordable compared to the national average.
How much does healthcare cost in Oakland?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Oakland, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Oakland?
The average home value in Oakland, California is $1,057,400, with average annual property taxes of $8,061, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Oakland compare to other areas?
You can compare Oakland, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Oakland is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.
Other counties in California
Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in CaliforniaCompare Oakland with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP