OaklandMoney Index August 2026
"Bay Area math, without the Bay Area peak."
Oakland — Money Index — Key Facts
- Ranked #43 of 50. Oakland ranks #43 of 50 on the PickYourBank US City Money Index — a blend of savings rate, income, affordability, happiness and work-life balance.
- 12% Savings Rate. Oakland households save about 12% of income — close to the US average.
- 42% Own Their Home. Only 42% of Oakland households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Work-Life Balance: 55/100. Oakland scores 55/100 on work-life balance — average for a major US city.
- 32-Minute Commute. Oakland's one-way commute averages 32 minutes — 5 minutes longer than the US average. That's ~245 hours a year stuck commuting.
- Happiness Score: 65/100. Residents rate life in Oakland a 65/100 — roughly the US average.
- Median Household: $90k. Oakland households earn about $90k — roughly 20% above the US average.
- Cost of Living: 177. Oakland is about 77% more expensive than the typical US city. A $75k salary here feels more like $42k elsewhere.
- Financial Stress: 60/100. Money stress in Oakland sits at 60/100 — close to the national norm.
- 17% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 17% of Oakland's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
Oakland is the Bay Area's most affordable major city — and the most accessible homeownership path.
With a median household income of ~$90k, a 12% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 177, Oakland ranks #43 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 17% of Oakland's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Oakland's commute (~32 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Oakland household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Oakland's cost of living and savings rate.
How Oakland feels about money
Four Oakland money truths
Oakland's savings rate runs 12% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Oakland runs above the US average, so price discipline matters more here than in most metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
California residents in Oakland report a 65/100 happiness score with stress at 60/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Oakland home prices are typically about 35% lower than San Francisco's."
Money lessons from Oakland
- 1
The cheaper twin city is the move
- 2
Buy in transit-rich neighborhoods
- 3
Hold through cycles — Bay Area rewards patience
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Oakland money FAQ
Is Oakland, California a good city for saving money?+
Oakland households save about 12% of income, with a happiness score of 65/100 and a work-life balance score of 55/100. Oakland is the Bay Area's most affordable major city — and the most accessible homeownership path.
What is the median household income in Oakland?+
The median household income in Oakland, California is roughly $90,000 per year. About 54% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Oakland?+
Oakland's cost of living index sits at 177 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 42%.
How long is the average commute in Oakland?+
Oakland's commute (~32 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
How much urban green space does Oakland have?+
About 17% of Oakland's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits Oakland?+
The Builder — Steady, long-horizon, and obsessed with foundations.
What's surprising about money in Oakland?+
Oakland home prices are typically about 35% lower than San Francisco's.
