Cost of Living in Oakland, CA
| Cost of Living in Oakland, CA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 28% lower | 57% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 11% higher | 47% higher |
| Food | 2% higher | 12% higher |
| Healthcare | 3% higher | 21% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 37% higher |
| Goods & Services | 14% higher | 17% higher |
The cost of living in Oakland, CA is 8% lower than the state average and 32% higher than the national average. Oakland, CA housing is 57% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 47% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 12% pricier in Oakland, CA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 17% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 21% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 17% pricier in Oakland, CA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Oakland is $2,621, while home prices circle around $841,949.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Oakland, energy bills cost around $387.33 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $5.25 in Oakland, a dozen eggs go for around $3.60 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.85.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Oakland, an optometry check-up costs around $178.91, while a dentist appointment is priced $165.31 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.58 in Oakland, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $70.08.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $50.74 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $54.92.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Oakland, you should budget around $15.15 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $29.86, while dry cleaning costs about $16.36.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Oakland, the median household income is $101,600.