Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 9% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Oakland vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Oakland is $268 (16%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Oakland is $456 (26%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Oakland is $413 (18%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Oakland is $928 (37%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $539 (0%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $355 (1%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $4,029 (6%) higher than Oakland

Home values in Oakland vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Oakland is $370,200 (54%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Oakland is $821 (11%) higher than Cambridge

Energy in Oakland vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $24 (48%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $348 (13%) higher than Oakland

Healthcare in Oakland vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Cambridge are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Cambridge are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Oakland is 1.7% (71%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Oakland vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Oakland is 8.3% (166%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Oakland is 1.0% (16%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Oakland is 2.6% (42%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Oakland vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Oakland is 1.8 min (6%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Cambridge is 2.4% (4%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Oakland is 1.2% (15%) higher than Cambridge

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Oakland is $393 (9%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Oakland is $560 (8%) higher than Cambridge

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Oakland is $1,082 (12%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Cambridge.

Is Oakland or Cambridge more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 9%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Oakland is approximately $456 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Oakland and Cambridge

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

Oakland profile Cambridge 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.