City Comparison
Oakland vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Angeles scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakland
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Oakland.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakland's average rent is
10% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Oakland | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $2,184 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $231 | -22% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $3,285 | $3,015 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakland offers 101% 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 $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Oakland | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $97,910 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,405 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $101,600 | $81,939 |
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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Oakland.
From a growth perspective, Oakland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Oakland has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oakland | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,838 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
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
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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