Cost of Living: Oakland, CA vs Sparks, NV (2026)

Oakland

California
195
VS

Sparks

Nevada
126

Oakland is 55% more expensive than Sparks.

$1,917/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,651/mo ↓ 14%
$97,369/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$86,979/yr ↓ 11%
$924,700 ↑ 103%
Home Value
$455,900 ↓ 51%
$2,164/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,610/mo ↓ 26%
438,072
Population
109,106

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Sparks, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $266/month cheaper in Sparks, saving renters about $3,192/year.

Median household income is $10,390/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $455,900 in Sparks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Sparks — common questions

Is Oakland or Sparks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sparks is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Sparks?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Sparks it's $1,651/month — a difference of $266/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Sparks?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $86,979 in Sparks. Median household income is $10,390/year higher in Oakland.
How do taxes compare between California and Nevada?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Oakland or Sparks?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/mo, while Sparks has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,651/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Oakland details → View Sparks details →

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