Oildale, CA vs Vacaville, CA

The cost of living difference between Oildale, CA and Vacaville, CA is dramatic. Oildale is 41% cheaper than Vacaville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oildale has a cost index of 91 while Vacaville sits at 155, 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 Oildale is $1,220/month compared to $2,227/month in Vacaville — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oildale is more affordable at $225,000 median vs $596,700.

Median household income in Oildale is $49,622 compared to $108,580 in Vacaville (-54.3%). While Vacaville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oildale spend roughly 29.5% of their income on rent, more than the 24.6% in Vacaville.

Climate-wise, Oildale is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 62.1°F in Vacaville. Vacaville receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 6.4" in Oildale.