Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 6% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 573 prices entered by 66 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 0% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 | $19 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $10 | + 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $9 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.62 | $1.38 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 | $4.52 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.99 | $7 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $10 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.19 | $6 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.22 | $3.92 | - 43% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.39 | $2.48 | + 117% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $13 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.98 | $2.56 | + 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.60 | $4.42 | - 41% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 17% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,795 | $4,462 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,484 | $3,492 | - 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 | $155 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,320 | $2,259 | + 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,748 | $1,860 | + 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 | $80 | + 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $45 | $53 | - 14% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $257 | $320 | - 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $147 | $126 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $11 | + 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $34 | + 19% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 5% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 | $59 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $39 | $45 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $116 | $107 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $169 | $109 | + 54% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 15% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,662 | $25,999 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.43 | $1.37 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 | $110 | - 24% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $24 | - 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 3% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 | $10 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $146 | $165 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $8 | - 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.47 | $4.39 | + 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 | $5.81 | + 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.48 | $4.77 | + 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.39 | $1.50 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $27 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 29% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 29% more expensive than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $63 | $58 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $34 | $27 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $371 | $239 | + 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $136 | $93 | + 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 | $15 | + 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.62 | $4.55 | + 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $7 | + 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $343 | $353 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.25 | $0.16 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $87 | $65 | + 35% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $11 | + 13% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 6% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 573 prices entered by 66 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least $12,715 in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $12,000 in Oakland, California.
Do you live in Oakland, California? We need your help!
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