Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Caracas and Oakland, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Caracas: $1,312 a month against $3,666 in Oakland, CA, rent and utilities included – about $28,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Caracas
🇻🇪 Venezuela
$1,312
/mo nomad
Oakland, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,666
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Caracas and in Oakland, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Caracas and in Oakland, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,312 per month in Caracas vs $3,666 in Oakland, CA, rent included.

  • Caracas $1,312
  • Oakland, CA $3,666

A couple spends around $2,236 per month in Caracas vs $5,759 in Oakland, CA, rent included.

  • Caracas $2,236
  • Oakland, CA $5,759

A family of three spends $3,160 per month in Caracas vs $7,853 in Oakland, CA, rent included.

  • Caracas $3,160
  • Oakland, CA $7,853

Caracas is about 64% cheaper than Oakland, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Caracas sits 2% below the global median, while Oakland, CA is 174% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.63 VES 9,293
$24.90 $24.90
-57.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.2 VES 59.6K
$121 $121
-43.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.99 VES 9,611
$11.81 $11.81
-6.94%
Cappuccino
$3.73 VES 3,266
$5.76 $5.76
-35.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 VES 1,349
$3.59 $3.59
-57.10%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 VES 1,122
$2.30 $2.30
-44.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.05 VES 1,796
$7.91 $7.91
-74.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 VES 2,546
$7.79 $7.79
-62.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.76 VES 2,413
$1.42 $1.42
94.37%
White Bread (500g)
$2.32 VES 2,030
$4.96 $4.96
-53.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.89 VES 1,655
$8.03 $8.03
-76.46%
Eggs
$4.82 VES 4,219
$6.20 $6.20
-22.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.18 VES 8,900
$25.88 $25.88
-60.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.44 VES 8,260
$18.55 $18.55
-49.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.51 VES 10.1K
$22.84 $22.84
-49.61%
Apples (1kg)
$7.23 VES 6,322
$7.71 $7.71
-6.23%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 VES 1,713
$2.29 $2.29
-14.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 VES 1,864
$8.35 $8.35
-74.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.37 VES 2,070
$6.65 $6.65
-64.36%
Potato (1kg)
$2.24 VES 1,956
$5.01 $5.01
-55.29%
Onion (1kg)
$2.24 VES 1,957
$3.08 $3.08
-27.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.61 VES 1,411
$2.43 $2.43
-33.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.41 VES 2,104
$3.04 $3.04
-20.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.57 VES 3,994
$11.94 $11.94
-61.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.02 VES 10.5K
$20.14 $20.14
-40.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 VES 1,196
$1.77 $1.77
-22.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 VES 1,896
$3.71 $3.71
-41.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.51 VES 449
$3.04 $3.04
-83.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.63 VES 25.9K
$86.7 $86.7
-65.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.88 VES 4,271
$3.18 $3.18
53.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.68 VES 2,346
$2.35 $2.35
14.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.17 VES 13.3K
$39.75 $39.75
-61.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 VES 754
$1.48 $1.48
-41.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K VES 22.0M
$36.4K $36.4K
-30.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.6K VES 33.8M
$25.8K $25.8K
49.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$22.07 VES 19.3K
$187 $187
-88.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.81 VES 10.3K
$63.4 $63.4
-81.37%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.64 VES 33.8K
$66.8 $66.8
-42.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$66.8 VES 58.5K
$39.21 $39.21
70.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.23 VES 15.1K
$12.90 $12.90
33.57%
Cinema Ticket
$6.48 VES 5,666
$16.11 $16.11
-59.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$159 VES 139.5K
$2,684 $2,684
-94.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,138 VES 5.4M
$36.4K $36.4K
-83.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.8 VES 68.0K
$70.1 $70.1
11.00%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.6 VES 44.2K
$48.20 $48.20
4.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$136 VES 119.2K
$114 $114
19.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 VES 119.2K
$203 $203
-32.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$619 VES 541.0K
$2,362 $2,362
-73.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$418 VES 365.3K
$2,044 $2,044
-79.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,106 VES 966.9K
$4,306 $4,306
-74.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$887 VES 775.5K
$3,725 $3,725
-76.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,458 VES 1.3M
$7,814 $7,814
-81.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$690 VES 603.7K
$5,894 $5,894
-88.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Caracas
Oakland, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$304 VES 265.6K
$5,302 $5,302
-94.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
22
6.77
224.96%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Caracas: October 3, 2026

Last update for Oakland, CA: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Caracas
$418
Oakland, CA
$2K 389% $1.6K
Groceries & Markets
Caracas
$340
Oakland, CA
$602 77.3% $263
Eating Out
Caracas
$190
Oakland, CA
$382 101% $192
Clothing & Footwear
Caracas
$180
Oakland, CA
$196 8.6% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Caracas
$80
Oakland, CA
$71 10.5% $8.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Caracas
$73
Oakland, CA
$317 337% $244
Getting Around
Caracas
$50
Oakland, CA
$114 128% $64

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $619 in Caracas versus $2,362 in Oakland, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 1646% higher in Oakland, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68.0 in Caracas versus $121 in Oakland, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $340 vs $602 – making Caracas the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇻🇪 Caracas
🇺🇸 Oakland, CA
🕒 Local time
08:25 8:25 AM
05:25 5:25 AM
3 h behind Caracas
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
3,274,000 Capital
433,031
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to VES – Venezuelan Bolívar Converter

Venezuelan Bolívar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 875 VES (1,000 VES = 1.14 USD). 1 EUR = 980 VES (1,000 VES = 1.02 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Caracas Oakland, CA 6,270 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Caracas
  • Oakland, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Caracas vs Oakland, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakland, CA cheaper than Caracas?
Yes – Oakland, CA is pricier by about 179%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,968 per month in Caracas and $5,499 in Oakland, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Caracas, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 193% less in Caracas. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $159 per month in Caracas and $2,684 in Oakland, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Caracas or in Oakland, CA?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Caracas, where all-in costs run around $1,312, than in Oakland, CA at $3,666. In Caracas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Oakland, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Caracas or Oakland, CA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Caracas – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Caracas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Oakland, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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