Side-by-side comparison

Oakland vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Oakland, California and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Oakland is approximately 55% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $4,784/mo in Oakland versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Oakland vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Oakland · Studio

$1,937

Detroit · Studio

$991

Oakland is $946 (95%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · 1 bedroom

$2,201

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Oakland is $1,111 (102%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · 2 bedroom

$2,682

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Oakland is $1,304 (95%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · 3 bedroom

$3,432

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Oakland is $1,744 (103%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Oakland vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Oakland · Household income

$126,240

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Oakland is $66,719 (112%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Individual earnings

$65,769

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Oakland is $25,790 (65%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Per capita

$63,442

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Oakland is $29,486 (87%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Oakland vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Oakland · Average home value

$1,057,400

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Oakland is $887,200 (521%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Annual property tax

$8,061

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Oakland is $5,267 (189%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Oakland vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Oakland · Monthly electricity

$167

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Oakland is $39 (30%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Monthly gas

$50

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $13 (26%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Annual total

$2,604

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Oakland is $312 (14%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Oakland vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Oakland · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Oakland and Detroit are about the same

Oakland · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Oakland and Detroit are about the same

Oakland · Uninsured rate

4.1%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 1.6% (39%) higher than Oakland

Taxes in Oakland vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Oakland · State income tax

13.3%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Oakland is 9.1% (213%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · State sales tax

7.3%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Oakland is 1.3% (21%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Oakland is 2.8% (47%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Oakland vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Oakland · Average commute

31.8 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Oakland is 6.8 min (27%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Drive alone

53.6%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 19.4% (36%) higher than Oakland

Oakland · Public transit

9.2%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Oakland is 7.0% (318%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Oakland vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Oakland · Single person

$4,784

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Oakland is $1,696 (55%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Couple

$7,342

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Oakland is $2,996 (69%) higher than Detroit

Oakland · Family

$10,299

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Oakland is $3,510 (52%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Oakland and Detroit.

Is Oakland or Detroit more expensive?

Oakland is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,784/mo in Oakland, California and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 55%.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Oakland, California is $2,201/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Oakland is approximately $1,111 (102%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Oakland or Detroit?

Oakland has the higher average household income. Oakland households earn approximately $126,240 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Oakland and Detroit

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

Oakland profile Detroit 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.