Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 4% more expensive than Seattle. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $4,588/mo in Seattle.

Rent in Oakland vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $301 (16%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $92 (4%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Oakland is $11 (0%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $89 (3%) higher than Oakland

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Oakland is $4,092 (3%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $1,372 (2%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $7,620 (12%) higher than Oakland

Home values in Oakland vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Oakland is $246,200 (30%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Oakland is $1,276 (19%) higher than Seattle

Energy in Oakland vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Oakland is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Oakland is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Oakland is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Oakland vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Seattle are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Seattle are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Seattle is 1.1% (27%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Oakland is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Oakland is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Oakland

Transportation in Oakland vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Oakland is 3.7 min (13%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Oakland is 1.8% (3%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Oakland is 1.2% (15%) higher than Seattle

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Oakland is $196 (4%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Oakland is $918 (14%) higher than Seattle

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Oakland is $859 (9%) higher than Seattle

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Seattle.

Is Oakland or Seattle more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 4%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $92 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Seattle?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Oakland and Seattle

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

Oakland profile Seattle 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.