City comparison
Yes. Denver's crime index is 271 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 272 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Denver is cheaper. Median rent is $1,831 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Denver and Oakland split most clearly. Denver scores 163 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,979 in Oakland.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Denver costs less and Oakland pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Denver has rougher pockets and Oakland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Denver and Oakland are 939 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $148 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $101,600 in Oakland, up $6,882 (7%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 434 in Oakland, up 163 points (60%).
The move
Oakland and Denver are 939 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,831 a month in Denver, down $148 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $94,718 in Denver, down $6,882 (7%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 271 in Denver, down 163 points (38%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Oakland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Denver rent is 7% cheaper than Oakland
Denver
Winner$1,831/mo
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Typical rent runs $1,831 a month in Denver versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Denver is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $148, or $1,776 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Denver? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Oakland's median income is 7% higher than Denver
Denver
$94,718
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $94,718 in Denver, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Oakland (about $6,882 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
38% lower crime
Denver's crime index is 38% lower than Oakland
Denver
Winner271 (100 = avg)
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Denver's crime index is 271 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Denver. 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, Denver 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
21% more comfortable
Oakland weather is 21% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Oakland
Winner63°F avg · 75°F highs · comfort 94/100
Denver averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Oakland averages about 63°F (75°F highs). Denver averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oakland averages around 63°F. Oakland scores 21% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Denver if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Denver is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,831 a month. Choose Denver if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Oakland (271 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 7% higher ($101,600), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 63°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Denver leads on safety (30/100 vs 15/100 in Oakland). Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,979 in Oakland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (30/100 in Denver vs 15/100 in Oakland), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $94,718 in Denver.
Denver is ahead on safety (30/100 vs 15/100); Oakland is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,979/month rent plus $101,600 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Oakland, plus other cities in CO and CA.
