Cost of Living: Oakland, CA vs Garland, TX (2026)

Oakland

California
195
VS

Garland

Texas
96

Oakland is 103% more expensive than Garland.

$1,917/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,525/mo ↓ 20%
$97,369/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$74,717/yr ↓ 23%
$924,700 ↑ 272%
Home Value
$248,900 ↓ 73%
$2,164/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,445/mo ↓ 33%
438,072
Population
245,298

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Garland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 96 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $392/month cheaper in Garland, saving renters about $4,704/year.

Median household income is $22,652/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $248,900 in Garland.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Garland residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Garland — common questions

Is Oakland or Garland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garland is cheaper to live in with an index of 96 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Garland?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Garland it's $1,525/month — a difference of $392/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Garland?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $74,717 in Garland. Median household income is $22,652/year higher in Oakland.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Oakland or Garland?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/mo, while Garland has a cost index of 96 with rent of $1,525/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Oakland details → View Garland details →

More Comparisons

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