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San Jose vs Oakland: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

San Jose is 6% more expensive than Oakland. San Jose is 5% safer. San Jose population: 989,814. Oakland population: 440,838.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingOakland
SafetySan Jose
HousingOakland

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: San Jose vs Oakland

Oakland is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 170 vs 180 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 10 index points.

CategorySan JoseOakland
Overall Index180170
Housing$5,251/moIndex: 295$4,806/moIndex: 270
Groceries$472/moIndex: 115$459/moIndex: 112
Transportation$403/moIndex: 115$413/moIndex: 118
Healthcare$358/moIndex: 112$352/moIndex: 110
Utilities$216/moIndex: 98$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: San Jose vs Oakland

San Jose is 5% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents vs Oakland's 27.3. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade compared to Oakland's C. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

San Jose

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.9/1K
TrendDeclining
C

Oakland

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate27.3/1K
TrendImproving
MetricSan JoseOakland
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K27.3/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7483.2
Property Crime Rate2088.92243.2
Murder Rate8.56.1
Assault Rate310.2332.4
Robbery Rate102.2122.9
Burglary Rate233.4242.5
Theft Rate1440.11707.0
Vehicle Theft Rate394.7538.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In San Jose, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Oakland.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for San Jose. A full comparison requires both cities.

San Jose Climate Overview

Annual High70.9°F
Annual Low49.9°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose cheaper than Oakland?
Oakland is 6% more affordable than San Jose, with a cost of living index of 170 vs 180 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $5,251/mo in San Jose vs $4,806/mo in Oakland.
Is San Jose safer than Oakland?
San Jose is 5% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents vs Oakland's 27.3. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to San Jose or Oakland?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose is safer (C+ grade). Oakland is more affordable (index 170 vs 180). San Jose has a population of 989,814 and Oakland has 440,838. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is San Jose compared to Oakland?
San Jose has a population of 989,814 and Oakland has 440,838. San Jose is 125% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in San Jose or Oakland?
Housing is cheaper in Oakland. Estimated monthly housing costs: San Jose $5,251/mo vs Oakland $4,806/mo. That's based on a housing index of 295 vs 270 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
San Jose Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C
Oakland Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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