San Francisco vs Oakland: Cost of Living

7%

San Francisco is about 7% more expensive than Oakland overall.

How San Francisco Compares to Oakland

Category by category

Renting ▲ 22%
Buying ▲ 49%
Goods about the same
Services about the same

Key Facts

San FranciscoOakland
Median Rent$2,448/mo$2,008/mo
Median Home$1,314,700$884,000
Median Income$139,801$102,235
State Income TaxUp to 13.3%Up to 13.3%
Sales Tax8.625%10.25%

Housing: The Biggest Difference

Oakland has the lower median home price by $430,700. Monthly rent is $440/month cheaper in Oakland.

Compare With Your Salary

Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Taxes from Tax Foundation. Full disclaimer.

San Francisco vs Oakland FAQ

Rent is $440/month cheaper in Oakland. San Francisco's median rent is $2,448/month, while Oakland's is $2,008/month. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Oakland has the lower median home price at $884,000, saving $430,700 compared to San Francisco. Source: Census ACS 2024.