Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 29% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Oakland vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Oakland is $479 (33%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Oakland is $641 (41%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Oakland is $921 (52%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Oakland is $1,170 (52%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Oakland is $44,443 (54%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Oakland is $16,471 (33%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Oakland is $15,641 (33%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Oakland vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Oakland is $752,200 (246%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Oakland is $2,008 (33%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Oakland vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Oakland is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Oakland is $480 (23%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Oakland vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Chicago are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Chicago are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Chicago is 4.9% (120%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Oakland is 8.4% (169%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Oakland is 1.0% (16%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Oakland is 0.0% (0%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Oakland vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 0.1 min (0%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Chicago is 2.6% (5%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 3.8% (41%) higher than Oakland

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Chicago

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Oakland is $1,077 (29%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Oakland is $2,177 (42%) higher than Chicago

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Oakland is $2,488 (32%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Chicago.

Is Oakland or Chicago more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 29%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Oakland is approximately $641 (41%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Chicago?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on Oakland and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Oakland profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.