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Oakland vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 16% more expensive than Los Angeles. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $4,135/mo in Los Angeles.

Rent in Oakland vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio
$1,937
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Oakland is $81 (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · 1 bedroom
$2,201
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Oakland is $120 (6%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · 2 bedroom
$2,682
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Oakland is $57 (2%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · 3 bedroom
$3,432
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Oakland is $97 (3%) higher than Los Angeles

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income
$126,240
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Oakland is $38,480 (44%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Individual earnings
$65,769
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Oakland is $22,292 (51%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Per capita
$63,442
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Oakland is $19,123 (43%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Oakland vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value
$1,057,400
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Oakland is $274,100 (35%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Annual property tax
$8,061
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Oakland is $2,623 (48%) higher than Los Angeles

Energy in Oakland vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same

Healthcare in Oakland vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · Uninsured rate
4.1%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Los Angeles is 4.6% (112%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same
Oakland · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Oakland and Los Angeles are about the same

Transportation in Oakland vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute
31.8 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Oakland is 1.0 min (3%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Drive alone
53.6%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 12.8% (24%) higher than Oakland
Oakland · Public transit
9.2%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Oakland is 5.0% (119%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person
$4,784
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Oakland is $649 (16%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Couple
$7,342
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Oakland is $1,008 (16%) higher than Los Angeles
Oakland · Family
$10,299
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Oakland is $1,048 (11%) higher than Los Angeles

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Los Angeles.

Is Oakland or Los Angeles more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Oakland is approximately $120 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Los Angeles?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Oakland and Los Angeles

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

Oakland profile Los Angeles 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.