Comparing Oakland and San Diego as potential relocation destinations brings into focus diverse aspects such as crime, education, economy, infrastructure, and cost of living. Whether for permanent residency or vacationing, both cities have unique features and attractions. San Diego is known for its beautiful weather and beaches, while Oakland boasts of its bustling art scenes and rich history. Here's a comprehensive comparison highlighting the unique features and considerations of both cities.
Distance between
San Diego, CA and
Oakland, CA : 449.5 miles
San Diego's population is larger by 219%. Its population has grown by 158,211 people (12.9%) since 2000. The population of Oakland has grown by 34,339 people (8.6%) during that time.
San Diego has a lower crime rate compared to Oakland, making it safer for both residents and tourists alike. Oakland has been working diligently on reducing crime rates but has a reputation for higher-than-average crime. Tourists typically feel safer in San Diego due to the city's extensive security measures specifically in tourist-centered areas.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,334 registered sex offenders living in San Diego and 916 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Diego is 1,054 to 1; the ratio in Oakland is 459 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in San Diego than in Oakland.
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in San Diego is generally lower than Oakland. This is mainly due to the significantly higher housing costs in Oakland. However, the cost of certain goods and services may be slightly higher in San Diego.
Income Tax
Both cities, being in California, have the same state income tax rates, which are among the highest in the nation, ranging from 1% to 13.3%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates slightly vary between the two cities. San Diego's average rate is about 0.76% while Oakland's is around 0.88%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax rates for San Diego and Oakland are quite close, with San Diego currently standing at 7.75% and Oakland at 9.25%.
Income
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Estimated median household income
$93,042
$82,236
Estimated per capita income
$48,380
$49,966
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
126.4
126.7
If you make $50,000 in San Diego, you will have to make $50,119 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Diego, located on the coast, is known for its beautiful beaches, ocean vistas, and gentle hills. Oakland, situated on the east side of San Francisco Bay, features rolling hills and a waterfront.
Both cities offer excellent educational opportunities. San Diego is home to renowned institutions like the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University. Oakland, though smaller, houses several institutions of higher learning including Mills College and Peralta Community College District.
San Diego's economy is diversified, with main industries including defense, tourism, international trade, and research. Oakland's economy, is more varied, with key sectors encompassing healthcare, professional services, and food processing. The job growth rate is robust in both cities.
Biggest Employers
In San Diego, largest employers include the US Navy, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and Sharp Healthcare. In Oakland, significant employers are Kaiser Permanente, Alameda County, and the City of Oakland.
There were 539 building permits issued in San Diego in 2012 (88 more than in 2011) compared to 114 building permits issued in Oakland in 2012 (73 more than in 2011).
In San Diego (San Diego County), 52.6% voted for Democrats and 45.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Oakland (Alameda County), 78.9% voted for Democrats and 18.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
2020
60.3%
79.8%
37.5%
17.6%
2.1%
2.6%
2016
56.3%
78.2%
36.6%
14.6%
7.1%
7.2%
2012
52.6%
78.9%
45.0%
18.2%
2.4%
3.0%
2008
54.2%
78.8%
44.0%
19.3%
1.8%
2.0%
2004
46.7%
75.5%
52.9%
23.4%
0.4%
1.1%
2000
45.8%
69.6%
49.8%
24.2%
4.5%
6.2%
1996
44.1%
65.8%
45.6%
23.1%
10.3%
11.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.9%
15.3%
6.7%
4.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.1%
1.5%
12.0%
10.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
2.0%
1.1%
2.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
2.0%
1.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.0%
1.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.3%
2.0%
2.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.2%
1.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.5%
1.5%
2.5%
Weather
San Diego is famous for its mild, sunny weather year-round, with average temperatures ranging from 65 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Oakland experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with temperatures ranging from 45 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Weather and climate
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Temperature - Average
64.4°F
59.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
84.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
22%
29%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
80%
90.9%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58%
61.9%
Precipitation - Yearly average
11 in
23.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
24.3%
26.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
74.8%
73%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
19%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
75%
77%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
55%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
11.4 mph
Average climate in San Diego, California
Average climate in Oakland, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
San Diego
Oakland
San Diego
Oakland
2018
101
105
0.53
0.46
11.2
13.0
32.6
20.9
0.007
0.012
N/A
N/A
10.5
13.7
0.1
0.4
2017
115
100
0.63
0.48
12.7
13.5
32.7
21.2
0.007
0.008
N/A
N/A
10.8
11.3
0.1
0.5
2016
105
80
0.46
0.41
13.0
12.9
30.4
20.3
0.006
0.005
N/A
N/A
11.4
7.9
0.1
0.9
2015
111
93
0.43
0.43
13.2
14.5
29.9
20.6
0.005
0.004
N/A
N/A
11.9
9.5
0.1
0.8
2014
105
90
0.44
0.42
11.6
14.7
31.1
20.6
0.007
0.005
N/A
N/A
11.1
9.1
0.1
0.5
2013
138
89
0.50
0.39
12.4
15.2
27.4
18.0
0.019
0.004
N/A
N/A
12.3
11.6
0.2
0.5
2012
110
87
0.53
0.38
12.7
13.7
28.0
18.7
0.019
0.003
N/A
N/A
13.6
8.5
0.2
0.7
2011
122
94
0.51
0.32
13.5
14.4
29.0
18.5
0.034
0.003
N/A
N/A
14.0
10.1
1.5
1.1
2010
109
90
0.52
0.21
14.0
14.4
29.3
19.4
0.019
0.013
N/A
N/A
13.9
8.4
1.0
1.0
2009
121
99
0.64
0.22
15.6
15.2
26.9
19.0
0.014
0.006
N/A
N/A
15.1
11.3
2.7
1.3
2008
127
110
0.71
0.29
16.1
15.1
28.4
20.1
N/A
0.006
67.3
N/A
N/A
12.4
2.6
1.0
2007
157
100
0.71
0.41
16.4
13.4
28.0
21.3
0.012
0.006
64.6
N/A
N/A
9.5
2.8
1.1
2006
123
106
0.81
0.47
18.9
13.8
27.1
22.6
0.056
N/A
64.8
N/A
N/A
9.4
3.4
1.3
2005
112
97
0.90
0.56
19.2
13.3
24.4
15.3
0.049
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.6
3.7
1.4
2004
120
107
0.93
0.51
18.4
14.3
25.9
15.3
0.055
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
4.6
1.8
2003
124
82
0.88
0.63
19.4
16.1
25.4
15.8
0.049
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.8
1.7
2002
125
81
0.86
0.69
20.9
18.8
25.9
16.7
0.039
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
1.6
2001
132
87
0.93
0.70
20.4
17.2
26.5
12.7
0.048
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.4
1.5
2000
134
78
1.02
0.84
22.3
17.1
23.8
11.8
0.054
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
1.8
Natural disasters
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
6.7%
8.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
5,835%
7,647.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
39%
20%
Transportation
Both cities have similar commuting times but differ in their transit systems. San Diego's diversified transportation includes the San Diego Trolley, bus routes, and ferries. Oakland, in proximity to San Francisco, benefits from the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, buses, and ferries.
Transport
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
852
154
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
33
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Bicycle
0.6%
1%
Bus
2%
3.2%
Carpooled
9.4%
12.6%
Car alone
81.7%
72.2%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0.1%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.4%
Railroad
0.5%
0.1%
Streetcar
0%
2.3%
Subway
0.1%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
3.6%
5.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Average
27.4 min
33.6 min
Other means
22.7 min
29 min
Public transportation
45.7 min
45.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
89.5%
88.1%
In 2 person carpool
7.6%
9.2%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
2%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.6%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Oakland is typically more expensive than in San Diego with median home prices in Oakland being higher. Both cities have healthy rental markets, with San Diego providing somewhat more affordable options.
Neighborhoods
San Diego has a mix of family-friendly suburban neighborhoods and vibrant urban districts. Oakland possesses a diverse range of neighborhoods, each showcasing distinct characteristics, cultural makeups, and architectural styles.
Houses and residents
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Houses
555,456
186,660
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.5
Median year apartment built
1980
1958
Median year house/condo built
1977
1943
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.1 years
15.4 years
Houses occupied
521,000 (93.8%)
170,366 (91.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
251,507 (48.3%)
72,661 (42.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
269,493 (51.7%)
97,705 (57.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,096
$3,127
Median monthly housing costs
$2,044
$1,921
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$957,871
$923,387
Estimated median house or condo value
$768,800
$848,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
4.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$781,885
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$529,375
$716,428
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$543,091
$709,698
Median house price - mobile homes
$134,064
$365,144
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$219,865
$485,645
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$696,014
$834,685
Median house price - All housing units
$941,291
$991,120
Median house age
42
69
Renting percentage
51.7%
58.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,712.6
3,329.9
House value disparities
23.6%
22.3%
Household income disparities
42.3%
45.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,584
$153,718
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,588
$81,904
Housing units without a mortgage
2,803 (1.6%)
1,176 (2.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,495 (6.9%)
4,996 (9.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
177,643 (98.4%)
51,720 (97.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
694 (0.4%)
139 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,654 (9.2%)
6,096 (11.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
4
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
2.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.3%
1.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Diego
Oakland
One, detached
43.4%
42.3%
One, attached
9.9%
4.9%
Two
1.9%
6.2%
3 or 4
6.0%
11.1%
5 to 9
9.3%
6.6%
10 to 19
7.4%
6.9%
20 to 49
6.3%
9.9%
50 or more
14.6%
11.7%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
39,709
20,615
State government workers
29,438
9,112
Unpaid family workers
808
529
Industries and Occupations
The dominant sectors in San Diego are healthcare, educational services, and retail trade while in Oakland, healthcare, social assistance, and educational services prevail.
San Diego offers top-rated healthcare through providers like UCSD Health and Sharp Healthcare. Oakland is home to the outstanding medical facilities of Kaiser Permanente and Alameda Health System.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Diego
Oakland
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Diego's infrastructure includes renowned hospitals, a vast metro system, advanced water systems, and modern buildings. Oakland, known for historic and modern architecture, also has well-developed public systems and excellent healthcare facilities.
Infrastructure
Type
San Diego
Oakland
Hospitals
26
9
TV stations
13
28
Arenas or stadiums
4
2
Bank branches located here
255
76
Bank institutions located here
40
29
Main business address for public companies
92
10
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
10
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Diego
Oakland
1999
3,865
1,291
2000
2,257
1,721
2001
1,754
1,244
2002
2,118
1,370
2003
5,074
2,021
2004
7,646
3,261
2005
8,409
3,850
2006
7,551
4,422
2007
5,741
2,645
2008
2,876
1,041
2009
1,675
700
Culture and Food
Both cities boast rich cultural scenes. San Diego is noted for Mexican cuisine, craft beer, and its vibrant music scene. Oakland is acclaimed for its diverse food scene, thriving arts community, and music festivals.
Sports Teams
San Diego hosts professional teams like the Padres (MLB) and Gulls (AHL), while Oakland is home to the Athletics (MLB) and formerly hosted the Raiders (NFL) and Golden State Warriors (NBA).
San Diego, CA
Oakland, CA
San Diego, CA and 
Oakland, CA : 449.5 miles
