Albany, CA vs Oakland, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Albany leads in median household income ($124,469 vs $85,459). Oakland leads in cost of living index (155 vs 207). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 73).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 19,097 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+53.6 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →