Cost of Living: Oakland, CA vs Arlington, VA (2026)

Oakland

California
195
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Oakland is 4% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,917/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 19%
$97,369/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 44%
$924,700 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$864,800 ↓ 6%
$2,164/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 12%
438,072
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $358/month cheaper in Oakland, saving renters about $4,296/year.

Median household income is $42,791/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Arlington — common questions

Is Oakland or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Oakland is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Arlington?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $358/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Arlington?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $42,791/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Oakland or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Oakland details → View Arlington details →

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