Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 30% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Oakland vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Oakland is $407 (27%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Oakland is $522 (31%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Oakland is $732 (38%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Oakland is $808 (31%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Oakland is $40,722 (48%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Oakland is $19,129 (41%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Oakland is $19,232 (44%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Oakland vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Oakland is $642,700 (155%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Oakland is $6,096 (310%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Oakland vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Oakland is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Oakland is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Oakland is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Oakland vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Phoenix are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Phoenix are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Phoenix is 6.6% (161%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Oakland is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Oakland is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Oakland is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Oakland vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Oakland is 5.7 min (22%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Phoenix is 13.0% (24%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Oakland is 7.9% (608%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Oakland is $1,090 (30%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Oakland is $2,068 (39%) higher than Phoenix

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Oakland is $2,201 (27%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Phoenix.

Is Oakland or Phoenix more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 30%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Oakland is approximately $522 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Phoenix?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Oakland and Phoenix

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

Oakland profile Phoenix 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.