Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 22% more expensive than Oakland. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,784/mo in Oakland.

Rent in Oakland vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $671 (35%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $774 (35%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $764 (28%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,045 (30%) higher than Oakland

Income & earnings in Oakland vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $33,434 (26%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $8,261 (13%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $13,576 (21%) higher than Oakland

Home values in Oakland vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $325,400 (31%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $1,705 (21%) higher than Oakland

Energy in Oakland vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Healthcare in Oakland vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Oakland is 0.1% (2%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Oakland vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Oakland and San Jose are about the same

Transportation in Oakland vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Oakland is 4.8 min (18%) higher than San Jose

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 8.1% (15%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Oakland is 6.5% (241%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,039 (22%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $1,850 (25%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Family

$10,299

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $2,131 (21%) higher than Oakland

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and San Jose.

Is Oakland or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $774 (35%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Oakland and San Jose

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

Oakland profile San Jose 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.