Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Oakland, CA
🏆 Arvada leads 18 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Oakland
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,389
Violent Crime Index
507⚠ High
Population
437,825 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
85% less violent crime than Oakland
Homes cost $331k less ($553,000 vs $883,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (3.8%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Oakland
Households earn $11,625 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Oakland, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 88°F
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 47°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $883,800
Violent crime (1925.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Arvada
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Arvada
Median Income
$11,625
$106,014 vs $94,389/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
85% lower
285.6 vs 1925.3 per 100k
Arvada
Median Home Value
$331k less
$553,000 vs $883,800
Arvada
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.8% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
16.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 71.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $883,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,849⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $94,389 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 31.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 507⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 344⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% | 48.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 85.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Oakland Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 22.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 437,825 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 14.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Oakland's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Arvada is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 18 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 18 and Oakland wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Oakland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $883,800 median home), income ($106,014 vs $94,389), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Oakland, CA are about 929 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.