Median rent is 2% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $1,917/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $924,700. Households earn more in Oakland ($97,369 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Los Angeles is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 113.3 against 118.0 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oakland, CA.
Quick verdict
Los Angeles is 4% cheaper overall
Cost index: 113.3 in Los Angeles vs 118.0 in Oakland (US 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
$78,108
You'd need $3,108 more (4% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,879/mo in Los Angeles and $1,917/mo in Oakland. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $879,500 in Los Angeles and $924,700 in Oakland.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so Oakland is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; Oakland has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Oakland
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Oakland has cleaner air on average: 75.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 113.3 vs 118.0).
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,369/yr).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Oakland?
Los Angeles is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.3 versus 118.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Los Angeles.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Oakland?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,917/mo in Oakland, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Oakland?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $97,369 in Oakland, CA. Oakland, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Oakland, CA has better air quality on average: 75.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Oakland?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. Oakland, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Oakland to match my Los Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $104,144 in Oakland, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology