Hercules, CA vs Live Oak, CA

The cost of living difference between Hercules, CA and Live Oak, CA is dramatic. Live Oak is 118.1% cheaper than Hercules, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hercules has a cost index of 193 while Live Oak sits at 88, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hercules is $3,003/month compared to $860/month in Live Oak — a 249% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Live Oak is more affordable at $317,900 median vs $741,200.

Median household income in Hercules is $130,583 compared to $66,590 in Live Oak (+96.1%). The higher salaries in Hercules partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hercules spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Live Oak.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (62°F vs 62.1°F). Live Oak receives more rainfall at 20.1" per year compared to 16.1" in Hercules.