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Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 21% more expensive than Riverside. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,947/mo in Riverside.

Rent in Oakland vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio
$1,937
Riverside · Studio
$1,776
Oakland is $161 (9%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · 1 bedroom
$2,201
Riverside · 1 bedroom
$1,852
Oakland is $349 (19%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · 2 bedroom
$2,682
Riverside · 2 bedroom
$2,306
Oakland is $376 (16%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · 3 bedroom
$3,432
Riverside · 3 bedroom
$3,079
Oakland is $353 (11%) higher than Riverside

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income
$126,240
Riverside · Household income
$89,672
Oakland is $36,568 (41%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · Individual earnings
$65,769
Riverside · Individual earnings
$42,131
Oakland is $23,638 (56%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · Per capita
$63,442
Riverside · Per capita
$37,162
Oakland is $26,280 (71%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Oakland vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value
$1,057,400
Riverside · Average home value
$510,300
Oakland is $547,100 (107%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · Annual property tax
$8,061
Riverside · Annual property tax
$4,189
Oakland is $3,872 (92%) higher than Riverside

Energy in Oakland vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

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

Healthcare in Oakland vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium
$480
Riverside · Individual premium
$480
Oakland and Riverside are about the same
Oakland · Family premium
$1,350
Riverside · Family premium
$1,350
Oakland and Riverside are about the same
Oakland · Uninsured rate
4.1%
Riverside · Uninsured rate
8.0%
Riverside is 3.9% (95%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

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

Transportation in Oakland vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute
31.8 min
Riverside · Average commute
33.8 min
Riverside is 2.0 min (6%) higher than Oakland
Oakland · Drive alone
53.6%
Riverside · Drive alone
74.6%
Riverside is 21.0% (39%) higher than Oakland
Oakland · Public transit
9.2%
Riverside · Public transit
0.7%
Oakland is 8.5% (1214%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person
$4,784
Riverside · Single person
$3,947
Oakland is $837 (21%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · Couple
$7,342
Riverside · Couple
$6,132
Oakland is $1,210 (20%) higher than Riverside
Oakland · Family
$10,299
Riverside · Family
$9,112
Oakland is $1,187 (13%) higher than Riverside

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Riverside.

Is Oakland or Riverside more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Oakland is approximately $349 (19%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Riverside?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Oakland and Riverside

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

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.