When comparing the urban, vibrant city of Oakland, CA with the quieter West Contra Costa, CA, there are notable differences in various sectors. Here, we will cast light on various factors such as safety, cost of living, economy, education system, infrastructural facilities, and more. These comparisons are valuable for both potential re-locators considering a move, and tourists planning a visit to either Oakland or West Contra Costa, CA.
Oakland has a higher crime rate than West Contra Costa. Violent crimes and property crimes are more common in Oakland, so it's advised to be cautious, especially in specific neighborhoods. On the other hand, West Contra Costa presents fewer safety concerns, with lower crime rates overall. However, for both locations, it's always a good practice to maintain general vigilance and awareness of one's surroundings.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Oakland is higher than in West Contra Costa. Prices for housing, groceries, utilities and transportation are typically more expensive in Oakland. West Contra Costa, being a more suburban area, offers a relatively lower cost of living, making it more attractive for those seeking affordability.
Income Tax
Both locations fall under California's income tax regulation. The state has a progressive income tax system ranging from 1% to 13.3% based on income level. There are no city-specific income taxes in either Oakland or West Contra Costa.
Property Tax
Property taxes are slightly higher in Oakland due to the higher real estate values. The typical homeowner in Oakland can expect to pay around 1.2% of their home value in property tax annually. In West Contra Costa, the rate is somewhat less, closer to 1% of home value.
Sales Tax
Oakland and West Contra Costa share California's state sales tax of 7.25%. However, Oakland imposes an additional city tax taking its total sales tax to 9.25%. West Contra Costa's cities generally have total sales tax rates ranging from 8.75% to 9.25%.
Income
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Estimated median household income
$82,236
$87,268
Estimated per capita income
$49,966
$39,820
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
126.7
131
If you make $50,000 in Oakland, you will have to make $51,697 in West Contra Costa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Oakland, surrounded by hills and the bay, offers splendid geographical diversity from its flat coastline to its hilly interiors. West Contra Costa, being located largely on the coast of San Francisco Bay, provides stunning coastal landscapes and views of the bay.
Geographical information
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Land area
56.1 sq. miles
68.1 sq. miles
Population density
7,739.1 people per sq. mile
3,673.6 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Oakland, CA West Contra Costa, CA
Education
Oakland's education system is more diverse, with several highly ranked public and private schools. It's home to over 80 schools and has a plethora of educational opportunities. However, West Contra Costa also provides a solid education with a smaller pool of schools. Both regions have access to higher education institutions nearby, including the University of California, Berkeley.
Oakland's economy is robust, with sectors like technology, healthcare and food service providing many job opportunities. However, the cost of doing business is high. West Contra Costa's economy is smaller but growing, with jobs across various sectors like retail, education and health care. Its cheaper cost of operation can make it an attractive location for start-ups.
Biggest Employers
Oakland's largest employers include Kaiser Permanente, the State of California, and the City of Oakland. West Contra Costa, on the other hand, has the West Contra Costa Unified School District, Chevron, and the County of Contra Costa among its top employers.
In Oakland (Alameda County), 78.9% voted for Democrats and 18.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In West Contra Costa (Contra Costa County), 66.2% voted for Democrats and 31.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
2020
79.8%
71.8%
17.6%
26.4%
2.6%
1.8%
2016
78.2%
67.5%
14.6%
24.5%
7.2%
8.0%
2012
78.9%
66.2%
18.2%
31.1%
3.0%
2.7%
2008
78.8%
68.0%
19.3%
30.2%
2.0%
1.8%
2004
75.5%
62.6%
23.4%
36.7%
1.1%
0.7%
2000
69.6%
59.0%
24.2%
37.2%
6.2%
3.8%
1996
65.8%
55.7%
23.1%
35.2%
11.2%
9.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
15.3%
21.8%
4.9%
5.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.0%
1.0%
2.5%
1.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.5%
1.3%
10.9%
10.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.5%
0.3%
2.5%
2.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
1.7%
2.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
2.3%
2.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
1.4%
1.5%
Weather
Oakland enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, making it pleasant for most of the year. West Contra Costa also shares a similar climate but it's marginally cooler due to its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Both regions portray a welcoming weather for tourists and residents alike.
Weather and climate
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Temperature - Average
59.1°F
58.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
84.2%
84.1%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
29%
29%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
90.9%
90.8%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
61.9%
61.7%
Precipitation - Yearly average
23.5 in
28.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.9%
27.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
73%
73%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
22.1%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77%
77%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
55%
55%
Wind speed - Average
11.4 mph
11.4 mph
Average climate in Oakland, California
Average climate in West Contra Costa, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Oakland
West Contra Costa
2018
105
105
0.46
0.42
13.0
8.7
20.9
24.4
0.012
0.012
13.7
12.9
0.4
0.5
2017
100
104
0.48
0.37
13.5
9.2
21.2
23.1
0.008
0.008
11.3
10.7
0.5
0.7
2016
80
76
0.41
0.36
12.9
8.6
20.3
22.8
0.005
0.005
7.9
8.1
0.9
0.8
2015
93
91
0.43
0.45
14.5
9.5
20.6
23.6
0.004
0.004
9.5
9.1
0.8
0.8
2014
90
86
0.42
0.42
14.7
9.4
20.6
22.3
0.005
0.005
9.1
10.4
0.5
0.9
2013
89
87
0.39
0.33
15.2
10.6
18.0
22.1
0.004
0.004
11.6
11.8
0.5
0.5
2012
87
90
0.38
0.33
13.7
9.6
18.7
24.1
0.003
0.003
8.5
8.2
0.7
1.9
2011
94
94
0.32
0.34
14.4
10.3
18.5
22.7
0.003
0.003
10.1
10.0
1.1
3.1
2010
90
90
0.21
0.33
14.4
11.2
19.4
21.9
0.013
0.015
8.4
9.1
1.0
1.3
2009
99
99
0.22
0.27
15.2
12.2
19.0
19.9
0.006
0.006
11.3
10.4
1.3
0.9
2008
110
110
0.29
0.23
15.1
12.0
20.1
22.7
0.006
0.006
12.4
12.7
1.0
1.1
2007
100
99
0.41
0.38
13.4
12.0
21.3
22.1
0.006
0.006
9.5
10.6
1.1
1.2
2006
106
104
0.47
0.43
13.8
12.7
22.6
21.4
N/A
N/A
9.4
11.0
1.3
1.6
2005
97
94
0.56
0.37
13.3
12.0
15.3
20.4
N/A
N/A
9.6
10.3
1.4
1.7
2004
107
105
0.51
0.59
14.3
13.1
15.3
20.7
0.004
0.004
11.3
12.0
1.8
1.6
2003
82
79
0.63
0.50
16.1
13.5
15.8
22.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.5
2002
81
81
0.69
0.47
18.8
13.8
16.7
22.6
0.008
0.008
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.2
2001
87
83
0.70
0.41
17.2
13.9
12.7
21.5
0.008
0.008
N/A
N/A
1.5
1.3
2000
78
76
0.84
0.48
17.1
14.0
11.8
19.9
0.012
0.013
N/A
N/A
1.8
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
8.8%
8.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,647.7%
7,617.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
18%
Transportation
Oakland has a well-connected transit system with AC Transit buses, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), bike-sharing facilities, and ferries. The city experiences traffic congestion at peak hours. West Contra Costa, while smaller, has decent public transit with buses and BART stations, providing connectivity to the larger Bay Area.
Transport
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
154
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Bicycle
1%
0.7%
Bus
3.2%
4.1%
Carpooled
12.6%
18.6%
Car alone
72.2%
63%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0.1%
Motorcycle
0.4%
0.2%
Railroad
0.1%
0.4%
Streetcar
2.3%
0.1%
Subway
0.5%
7%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
5.5%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Average
33.6 min
35 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Oakland is pricier than West Contra Costa, reflecting its status as a larger city with higher demand. Properties range from high-rise apartments and condos in downtown to single-family homes in the hills. West Contra Costa offers more affordable home buying and rental opportunities, with a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Neighborhoods
Oakland's neighborhoods offer a wide spectrum from upscale areas like Rockridge and Montclair, to more affordable places like East Oakland. West Contra Costa includes cities like Richmond and El Cerrito, with family-friendly neighborhoods, parks, and community-centric local businesses.
Houses and residents
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
Houses
186,660
86,004
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.8
Houses occupied
170,366 (91.3%)
83,291 (96.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
72,661 (42.7%)
50,448 (60.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
97,705 (57.4%)
32,843 (39.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,127
$1,781
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$923,387
$1,269,474
Estimated median house or condo value
$848,600
$597,522
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.7
5.4
Renting percentage
58.9%
40.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
3,329.9
1,262.7
Household income disparities
45.9%
46.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,176 (2.2%)
11,194 (24.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
4,996 (9.4%)
155 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
51,720 (97.8%)
34,015 (75.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
139 (0.3%)
3,361 (7.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
6,096 (11.5%)
4,664 (10.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.4%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,615
8,123
State government workers
9,112
5,849
Unpaid family workers
529
314
Industries and Occupations
Oakland is known for its diverse industries including technology, healthcare, education, government, and distribution. It's a location ideal for professionals in these fields. In contrast, West Contra Costa has retail, education, healthcare, and manufacturing as its primary industries. Blue-collar jobs are more prevalent here compared to Oakland.
Healthcare in Oakland is excellent with top-rated hospitals like Kaiser Permanente Oakland and Alameda Health System. West Contra Costa also has good healthcare facilities including Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, although choices are somewhat limited compared to Oakland.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Oakland, being a major city, has solid infrastructure. It features good connectivity with public buses, trains, and highways, as well as the Oakland International Airport. West Contra Costa, though smaller, has decent infrastructure with easy access to highways and public transportation options to San Francisco and other Bay Area locations.
Infrastructure
Type
Oakland
West Contra Costa
TV stations
28
22
Culture and Food
Oakland boasts a diverse cultural scene, with a wide variety of ethnicities represented. It's often celebrated for its culinary scene, featuring everything from Michelin-star restaurants to food trucks. West Contra Costa, while more suburban, also offers diverse food and local cultural events, but lacks the same level of variety found in Oakland.
Sports Teams
Oakland is a sports-centric city, previously home to the NFL's Raiders, the NBA's Warriors and currently hosting the MLB's Athletics. Whereas, West Contra Costa does not host any major league sports teams but provides facilities for community and youth sports.
Oakland, CA
West Contra Costa, CA
Oakland, CA and 
West Contra Costa, CA : 12.1 miles
