Oakland, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 41). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 155). Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $65,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 433,823 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 41 |
| Crime Level | High | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | R+3.5 |
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 →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →