Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 41% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Oakland vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Oakland is $565 (41%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Oakland is $689 (46%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Oakland is $880 (49%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Oakland is $1,261 (58%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Oakland is $65,542 (108%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Oakland is $23,291 (55%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Oakland is $25,773 (68%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Oakland vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Oakland is $825,000 (355%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Oakland is $6,109 (313%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Oakland vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Oakland is $24 (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $12 (24%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Oakland is $144 (6%) higher than Philadelphia

Healthcare in Oakland vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Philadelphia are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Philadelphia are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Philadelphia is 3.1% (76%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Oakland is 10.2% (333%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Oakland is 1.3% (21%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Oakland is 2.5% (40%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Oakland vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 0.2 min (1%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Oakland is 6.9% (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 8.7% (95%) higher than Oakland

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Oakland is $1,402 (41%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Oakland is $2,782 (61%) higher than Philadelphia

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Oakland is $3,240 (46%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Philadelphia.

Is Oakland or Philadelphia more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 41%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Oakland is approximately $689 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Philadelphia?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Oakland and Philadelphia

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

Oakland profile Philadelphia 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.