Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 50% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Oakland vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Oakland is $711 (58%) higher than Houston

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Oakland is $922 (72%) higher than Houston

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Oakland is $1,153 (75%) higher than Houston

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Oakland is $1,394 (68%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Oakland is $53,136 (73%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Oakland is $24,031 (58%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Oakland is $23,464 (59%) higher than Houston

Home values in Oakland vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Oakland is $802,400 (315%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Oakland is $3,679 (84%) higher than Houston

Energy in Oakland vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Oakland and Houston are about the same

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Oakland is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Oakland is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Oakland vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Houston are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Houston are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 17.1% (417%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Oakland is 13.3% higher than Houston

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Oakland is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Oakland is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Oakland vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Oakland is 2.8 min (10%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 18.8% (35%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Oakland is 7.1% (338%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Houston

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Oakland is $1,599 (50%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Oakland is $2,806 (62%) higher than Houston

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Houston · Family

$7,187

Oakland is $3,112 (43%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Houston.

Is Oakland or Houston more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 50%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Oakland is approximately $922 (72%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Houston?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Oakland and Houston

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

Oakland profile Houston 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.