Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Fairfax

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Fairfax, Virginia.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 1% more expensive than Oakland. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $4,784/mo in Oakland.

Rent in Oakland vs Fairfax

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Fairfax is $75 (4%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Oakland is $145 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Oakland is $368 (16%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Oakland is $539 (19%) higher than Fairfax

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Fairfax

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Fairfax is $23,873 (19%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Fairfax is $5,803 (9%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Fairfax is $6,529 (10%) higher than Oakland

Home values in Oakland vs Fairfax

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Oakland is $357,700 (51%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Oakland is $989 (14%) higher than Fairfax

Energy in Oakland vs Fairfax

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Oakland is $14 (9%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Oakland is $1 (2%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Oakland is $180 (7%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Oakland vs Fairfax

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Fairfax are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Fairfax are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Fairfax is 3.3% (80%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Fairfax

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Oakland is 7.6% (131%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Oakland is 2.0% (37%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Oakland is 3.1% (54%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Oakland vs Fairfax

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Oakland is 2.3 min (8%) higher than Fairfax

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Fairfax is 4.3% (8%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Oakland is 3.9% (74%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Fairfax

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Fairfax is $24 (1%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Fairfax is $128 (2%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Oakland is $88 (1%) higher than Fairfax

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Fairfax.

Is Oakland or Fairfax more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Fairfax?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $2,056/mo in Fairfax, Virginia. Oakland is approximately $145 (7%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year.

More on Oakland and Fairfax

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

Oakland profile Fairfax 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.