Median rent is 2% lower in Los Angeles ($1,933/mo vs $1,979/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $921,200 versus $929,900. Households earn more in Oakland ($101,600 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Los Angeles is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 114.7 against 117.6 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oakland, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Los Angeles is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 114.7 in Los Angeles vs 117.6 in Oakland (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Oakland, CA
How much would you need to earn in Oakland, CA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Oakland, CA
$76,831
You'd need $1,831 more (2% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Oakland
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,933/mo in Los Angeles and $1,979/mo in Oakland. Median home values are within 1% of each other: $921,200 in Los Angeles and $929,900 in Oakland.
Metric
Los Angeles
Oakland
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oakland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 60.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,600/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Los Angeles is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 114.7 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Los Angeles.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,979/mo in Oakland, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $101,600 in Oakland, CA. Oakland, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 60.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $102,442 in Oakland, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
