salaryRent is higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $100,440 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 388 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Oakland with other big cities
Compare Oakland to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Oakland?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Oakland
| Size | Oakland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,602 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,931 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,352 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,512 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,777 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Oakland overall?
Everyday prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area are 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Oakland
Life in Oakland
What jobs pay in Oakland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | 13.8% |
| Lawyer | $212,500 | 14.2% |
| Software Developer | $186,640 | 16.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | 16.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $184,380 | 16.3% |
| Pharmacist | $177,410 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $149,990 | 20.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $146,760 | 20.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,460 | 22.4% |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | 22.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | 23.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | 24.4% |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | 26.5% |
| Accountant | $110,730 | 27.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 29.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $94,310 | 31.9% |
| Electrician | $92,830 | 32.5% |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | 33.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,490 | 38.4% |
| Plumber | $77,880 | 38.7% |
| Truck Driver | $66,450 | 45.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | 50.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $57,830 | 52.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 | 53.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $48,400 | 62.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,030 | 65.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $43,850 | 68.7% |
| Cashier | $41,270 | 73.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,860 | 77.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Oakland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,941 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $929,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $92,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Oakland, CA?
Renting in Oakland costs a median of about $2,511 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Oakland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $100,440 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Oakland cheap or expensive?
Oakland is rated OK: rent takes 27.5% of the typical household income of $109,576. It ranks 388th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Oakland?
The median homeowner in Oakland pays $8,575 a year in property taxes, about 0.92% of the median home value.
Is Oakland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 16% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Oakland?
The median home value in Oakland is $929,900, about 8.5 times the typical yearly household income.
439,418 people live in Oakland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.