Living in Oakland, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Oakland · Census data 2020–2024
Oakland has 439,418 residents with a median age of 37.9. The median household income is $101,600 (about the same as the California median), the median home value is $929,900, the median rent is $1,979/month.
Oakland at a glance
- Population
- 439,418
- Median age
- 37.9State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $101,600State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $929,900State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,979/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 42.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48.7%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Oakland a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the California median; unemployment of 6.4%.
Cons: Home values 27% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes; a poverty rate of 13.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Oakland
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Oakland the median home value is $929,900, 180% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,979 per month, which is 30.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,684 a month in housing costs.
Oakland median household income
The median household income in Oakland is $101,600 and the income per person is $61,757. 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Oakland: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 191,713
- Owner-occupied
- 42.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.7%
- Vacant
- 7.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.45
Oakland demographics
- Population
- 439,418
- Median age
- 37.9
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 14.7%
- Households
- 176,584
- Foreign-born
- 27.5%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Oakland ›
Education in Oakland
48.7% of adults 25 and older in Oakland have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 22% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Oakland
- Unemployment rate
- 6.4%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 26.5%
- Drive alone
- 46.9%
- Public transit
- 12.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.6%
Oakland vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | $929,900 | $1,979 |
| Alameda | 77,238 | $137,697 | $1,235,700 | $2,474 |
| Piedmont | 10,945 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| San Leandro | 87,826 | $101,420 | $844,200 | $2,186 |
| Emeryville | 13,081 | $117,092 | $604,800 | $2,936 |
| Moraga | 16,769 | $216,193 | $1,663,200 | $2,895 |
| Berkeley | 120,257 | $108,092 | $1,413,900 | $2,133 |
| Ashland | 22,210 | $81,702 | $775,800 | $2,110 |
| San Lorenzo | 29,171 | $112,660 | $847,100 | $2,163 |
More for people moving to Oakland
Oakland ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Oakland: FAQ
What is the median household income in Oakland, CA?
The median household income in Oakland is $101,600, about the same as the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Oakland?
The median home value in Oakland is $929,900, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Oakland?
The median gross rent in Oakland is $1,979 per month, about 30.6% of household income.
Is Oakland, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the California median; unemployment of 6.4%. Minuses: home values 27% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes; a poverty rate of 13.4%.
What is the median age in Oakland?
The median age in Oakland is 37.9 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Oakland?
The average commute to work in Oakland is 30 minutes; 26.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Oakland?
The unemployment rate in Oakland is 6.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Oakland?
48.7% of adults in Oakland have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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