City Comparison
Oakland vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oakland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakland
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Oakland.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakland's average rent is
33% higher than San Bernardino's.
| Metric | Oakland | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,803 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,285 | $2,803 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakland offers 54% 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 $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Oakland | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $97,910 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,405 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $101,600 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Bernardino runs warmer on average — a 8.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Bernardino comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oakland | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.70°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 43.50°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 311 | 328 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
San Bernardino has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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 | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakland is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, San Bernardino 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 | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,838 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some 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
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
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