City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Austin is cheaper. Median rent is $1,729 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Austin and Oakland split most clearly. Austin scores 272 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,979 in Oakland.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on cost of living and safety and Oakland wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Austin has rougher pockets and Oakland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Austin and Oakland are 1,492 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $250 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $101,600 in Oakland, up $7,942 (8%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 434 in Oakland, up 272 points (168%).
The move
Oakland and Austin are 1,492 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,729 a month in Austin, down $250 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $93,658 in Austin, down $7,942 (8%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 162 in Austin, down 272 points (63%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Oakland, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Oakland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
Austin rent is 13% cheaper than Oakland
Austin
Winner$1,729/mo
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Austin is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,000, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Austin still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Oakland.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Oakland's median income is 8% higher than Austin
Austin
$93,658
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $93,658 in Austin, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Oakland (about $7,942 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
63% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 63% lower than Oakland
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and Oakland are about even on typical weather.
Austin
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oakland
68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oakland sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than Oakland (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Oakland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($101,600). Start with Oakland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Austin leads on safety (45/100 vs 15/100 in Oakland). Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,979 in Oakland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $93,658), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Median income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $93,658 in Austin.
Between Austin and Oakland, Austin is ahead on safety — 45/100 safety versus 15/100. Lean Oakland instead when you already know the Oakland block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Oakland, plus other cities in TX and CA.
