Living in Oakland, CA
Oakland is the 45th-largest city in the US, home to about 441,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well above the national average (115.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 440,838+0% since 2020
- Median home value
- $929,9009.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,979/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $101,600median, per year
- Price level
- 115.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 60° / 72°lows 45° / 57°
- Average commute
- 30 min27% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
Been to Oakland?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
County: Alameda County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 43 ft
Metro area: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Cost of living in Oakland
The median home in Oakland is worth $929,900 and the median household earns $101,600 a year, so a typical home costs about 9.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,979 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area at 115.6, with housing at 194.7 and goods at 108.5 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $86,700 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Oakland?
Oakland weather
Average highs run from 60°F in January to 72°F in July, and January nights average 45°F. It gets 23 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are February to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Oakland
People and work
The median resident is 37.9 years old, and 49% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 30 minutes; 26% of workers work from home and 12% take public transit.
- Median age
- 37.9360th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 49%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 42%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,87756.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 13%3% walk, 1.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1953median year
Who moves to Oakland, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Seattle (King County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Alameda County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, wildfire, coastal flooding.
Home prices
-4.8% in a year
Up 8% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Oakland-Fremont-Berkeley, CA (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Oakland
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 10 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data 12% of workers take public transit, so living without a car is realistic.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 9.2 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 16% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Alameda County (FEMA rates it very high), led by inland flooding, earthquake and wildfire.
Oakland report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Oakland report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate Oakland (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about Oakland
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Oakland can answer.
Oakland through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near Oakland
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda, CA | 2 mi | 76,876 | $1,235,700 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Berkeley, CA | 5 mi | 121,911 | $1,413,900 | 115.6 | Compare |
| San Leandro, CA | 9 mi | 85,353 | $844,200 | 115.6 | Compare |
| San Francisco, CA | 10 mi | 826,079 | $1,394,500 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Richmond, CA | 11 mi | 114,861 | $668,200 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Hayward, CA | 13 mi | 157,113 | $854,400 | 115.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Oakland ranks 64th of 66 in our best suburbs of San Francisco ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Oakland with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Oakland a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 10 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare Oakland side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Oakland?
The Census Bureau estimates Oakland had 440,838 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 440,842 in April 2020 (+-0%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Oakland?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $86,700 in the Oakland area. The median household here earns $101,600.
When is the best time to visit Oakland?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 72°F and January 60°F for daytime highs.
What county is Oakland in?
Oakland is in Alameda County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Oakland in?
Oakland is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Oakland?
About 43 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Oakland. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Oakland Museum, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.