Cost of Living in Oakland, California
Oakland has a population of about 439,418. The median household income is $101,600, median gross rent is $1,979/month, and the median home value is $929,900. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Oakland expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Oakland is 20% above the national median and home values are 148% above the national median. Household income here is 21% above the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 23% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Oakland?
The median gross rent in Oakland, California is $1,979 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Oakland?
The median owner-occupied home value in Oakland is $929,900 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Oakland?
The median household income in Oakland is $101,600 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.