City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Oakland is significant: $61,953 median household versus $101,600. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,979 in Oakland.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Philadelphia 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Oakland are 2,509 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $582 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $101,600 in Oakland, up $39,647 (64%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 434 in Oakland, up 173 points (66%).
The move
Oakland and Philadelphia are 2,509 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $582 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $39,647 (39%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 261 in Philadelphia, down 173 points (40%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Oakland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 29% cheaper than Oakland
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Philadelphia is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $582/month back in your pocket ($6,984/year). Over five years that's $34,920 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Oakland, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
64% higher
Oakland's median income is 64% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 64% higher in Oakland (about $39,647 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Oakland is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
40% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 40% lower than Oakland
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia 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
45% more comfortable
Oakland weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Oakland
Winner68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oakland sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oakland scores 45% 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 Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Oakland (261 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 64% higher ($101,600), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Philadelphia is cheaper on rent ($1,397/month vs $1,979), but Oakland's $101,600 median income beats Philadelphia's $61,953 by 39%. Remote workers paid on Oakland scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,979 in Oakland.
Between Philadelphia and Oakland, Oakland is ahead on local pay — $101,600 median income against $61,953. Lean Philadelphia instead when keeping rent near $1,397/month beats chasing $101,600 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Oakland, plus other cities in PA and CA.
