City Comparison
Oakland vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oakland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakland
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oakland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Anaheim.
| Metric | Oakland | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $2,487 | -4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $411 | -3% |
| Utilities | $180 | $262 | -31% |
| Transport | $90 | $514 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $139 | +58% |
| Monthly Total | $3,285 | $3,813 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakland offers 150% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakland is estimated at
$75,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | Oakland | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $97,910 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,405 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $101,600 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oakland runs warmer on average — a 58.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oakland comes out ahead with 311 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oakland sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oakland | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 311 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Oakland.
Oakland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oakland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oakland | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakland is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Anaheim.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oakland | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,838 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $22.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakland
Advantages
Median household income stands at $101,600 per US Census Bureau data, reflecting strong earning potential.
Abundant cultural amenities and recreational spaces, including the iconic Lake Merritt park system.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity with rich neighborhood communities.
Robust public transit infrastructure including direct BART lines connecting across the Bay Area.
Proximity to major Bay Area employment centers, universities, and natural wilderness areas.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 16% above the national average per federal economic data.
Elevated property and violent crime rates in specific commercial and residential zones.
High average rent prices ($2,395 per month via Zillow) strain housing affordability.
Steep state income taxes and local levies add to the financial burden of residents.
Traffic congestion during peak commute hours along major interstate corridors.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Oakland
#568California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$97,910
Cost Index
116
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
311/yr
Avg Temp
58.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
Anaheim
#597California, USA
41.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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