Many people move to San Francisco without ever venturing into the wonderfully local vibe of Oakland. But that just might make your new home even better, honestly. Everything is a little more chill on the east bay, and much more affordable.
Oakland's distinct neighborhoods offer something for everyone
Many people move to San Francisco without ever venturing into the wonderfully local vibe of Oakland. But that just might make your new home even better, honestly. Everything is a little more chill on the east bay, and much more affordable.
Oakland's distinct neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Art lovers will find a haven in Temescal, brimming with trendy shops, galleries, and a youthful vibe. Young professionals might gravitate towards the modern high-rises and bustling energy of Downtown Oakland. Families seeking a quieter setting can explore the tree-lined streets and Craftsman bungalows of the Crocker Highlands. History buffs will be drawn to the Victorian charm and architectural richness of Victorian Square.
Oakland's rental market reflects this variety. You'll find everything from luxury high-rises with stunning city views to converted lofts with exposed brick and industrial accents. Charming studio apartments and spacious family-friendly units in Craftsman buildings are also plentiful. Knowing which neighborhoods offer the type of rentals you're looking for will be key in your search.
This guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate Oakland's exciting rental market and find the perfect place to call home. We'll delve deeper into these neighborhoods and rental options, explore rent prices, and provide valuable tips to streamline your apartment search.
The following rent averages come from current listings on our website. Rent prices listed are averages and may not reflect the cost of specific units. Rental prices can vary depending on factors like size, location, amenities, and availability.
On average, expect to pay around $1,979 per month for a studio apartment in Oakland.
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Oakland is approximately $2,555 per month.
In Oakland, a 2-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $3,299 per month.
A 3-bedroom apartment in Oakland will cost, on average, $4,671 per month.
Car owners beware! Traffic and parking will become a great source of stress. Traffic gets really bad around downtown, Lake Merritt, 580, and the Bay Bridge. So when that rush hour highway begins to look like an insane asylum with turn signals, just settle into an apartment near the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
The BART is a heavy rail commuter system that runs through Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and the east bay communities. BART offers fast, reliable service to San Francisco, other East Bay cities, and major points within Oakland itself. There are eight BART stations conveniently located throughout Oakland. AC Transit, a separate bus agency, provides extensive bus service within Oakland and neighboring areas. While fares are reasonable, some riders might find bus wait times inconvenient. You can find schedules and fares for both BART and AC Transit on their respective websites.
Zipcars are also available throughout the downtown area. You just pay an annual fee and get a card, which you use to unlock your zipcar from the nearest location. This service is much less expensive than owning or renting a car, and it’s great for getting groceries, or going on a beer run after dark.
Finding a pet-friendly apartment in Oakland can feel overwhelming, but don't despair! Major rental listing websites like Apartment List allow filtering by pet-friendliness. Simply select “Dog-Friendly” or “Cat-Friendly” in your preferences when you start your search. Do be prepared to run into some common restrictions, though:
Weight & breed restrictions: While dogs are popular even in the busiest parts of the city, be aware that many buildings (especially high-rises) have weight or breed limits for pets, often stricter than other locations.
Building size and amenities: Larger buildings and those with dedicated pet amenities like dog runs are more likely to be pet-friendly.
Still have questions about renting in Oakland? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from people who are moving to the city for the first time:
Oakland comes in at # 17 most expensive city for renters among the nation's top 100 largest cities. At a median rate of $1,813 for a one-bedroom, we estimate you would need to earn around $75,000 a year to afford an apartment at that rate.
According to our latest rental data from April 2024, the median price of a one-bedroom in LA and in Oakland are around the same. LA is slightly higher at $1,863 compared to Oakland's $1,813.
While improving, some areas of Oakland have higher crime rates than the national average. At the same time, Oakland continues to attract new residents for its vibrant art scene, diverse neighborhoods, and strong sense of community. You'll find a mix of cultures, ethnicities, and lifestyles, making it a dynamic and interesting place to live.
Furthermore, while housing costs are rising in Oakland, it's still significantly cheaper than its neighbor across the bay. You'll get more bang for your buck when it comes to renting or buying an apartment. Also, don't forget that Oakland's culinary scene is booming, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and international flavors to explore.
Wondering where to live? Oakland is broken down into a few large areas, including The Hills, The Lower Hills, and the Flatlands. Let's explore each of these and their neighborhoods:
Welcome to sunshine and lollie pop land. Here, the neighborhoods are quiet.
Montclaire. Scenic, and an easy commute. If you can afford it, you will love it!
Piedmont. Slightly more affordable, and experiencing a little renaissance.
Rockridge. Upscale, with quirky shops, a burgeoning art scene, and just a few blocks to BART.
The lower hills are a great middle ground. Here you’ll find the bridge to the upscale. Here, you can find both quiet neighborhoods and areas of young singles seizing the day, night, and early morning.
Grand Lake. Right by the lake and jam-packed with joggers.
Trestle Glen. Tight-knit and walkable.
Glenview. Absolutely charming.
Oakmore. A quiet haven for the upper middle class.
Diamond District. Everything you need within walking distance: groceries, bank, park, and bus.
Lincoln Highlands. Nice and family-oriented.
Adams Point. Seriously affordable for the hills, seriously close to Lake Merritt and downtown, and seriously interesting things going on all the time. Seriously.
Redwood Heights. Hilltop views, upscale diversity, and family-oriented neighbors… all bordered by Highway 13, which is a straight shot to Berkeley.
Uptown. Great nightlife scene and home to Oaksterdam University.
Downtown. Urban-hipster-land.
Old Oakland. A quirky neighborhood, an awesome farmers market, and walking distance entertainment.
Chinatown. Exactly how it sounds, plus walking distance to downtown… just spring for a cab ride home at night.
Jack London Square. High-rise living with bayside dining, jazz, and a funky weekend Artisan Marketplace.
Lake Merritt. Lots of fun, and many cultures blended together beautifully.
Fruitvale. A community of renaissance people.
West Oakland. A gem in transition: diverse projects, luxury condos, and work/live spaces with delightfully eccentric neighbors.
The representation of ethnic minorities in Oakland is higher than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of Oakland are White (28.3%), Hispanic Or Latino (27%), Black Or African American (20.3%), Asian (16.2%), Two Or More (6.9%), Other (0.6%), American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.3%), and Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0.2%).
The representation of ethnic minorities in Oakland is higher than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of Oakland are White (28.3%), Hispanic Or Latino (27%), Black Or African American (20.3%), Asian (16.2%), Two Or More (6.9%), Other (0.6%), American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.3%), and Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0.2%).
Apartment List has released the results for Oakland from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
These Oakland neighborhoods are insanely popular right now! Renters are hunting down properties in these places.
Oakland is a vibrant city in California located near downtown San Francisco. It has unique neighborhoods, stunning green spaces, and a diverse culture. Residents and visitors love the city’s thriving arts scene, as it has over 1,000 murals lining the streets. Oakland is also known for its incredible food, including Shan Dong in Chinatown and Taquería El Paisa near Fruitvale.
Sports fans can visit the stadiums and cheer on the Oakland A’s. And outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park or walking along Lake Merritt's shores.
If you're moving to California, consider making Oakland your new home. There are plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from if you’re looking for places to rent in Oakland, CA. From Temescal to downtown Oakland, you're sure to find an apartment or house for rent with the perfect vibe.
Instead of typing "apartments for rent near me" in Google, use Apartment List to discover places for rent in Oakland that suit your needs. Our app simplifies the rental search by locating precisely what you want. Whether you’re interested in a budget-friendly studio near Oakland's AC Transit system or a pet-friendly spot by the water, our Renter Quiz pairs you with units tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
Apartment List offers unique features to simplify your search for Oakland, California apartments. We use filters to help you locate your ideal rental and share real-time updates so you never miss a new listing that suits your criteria. You'll even get 24/7 access to landlords to schedule tours.
Uncover the best rentals in Oakland, California in just a few swipes with Apartment List. Download our app today — your new home is waiting.
Oakland rent prices are on a downward trend, and the overall median rent is approximately $1,953. Depending on the size of your apartment, you can expect to pay the following:
This is higher than the national average, but the city’s incredible attractions and low transportation costs make up for it.
The best way to look for an apartment for rent is to use Apartment List. Our AI-powered platform matches you with rentals in Oakland that are tailored to your needs. Whether you’re looking for an apartment with a dishwasher, hardwood floors, or air conditioning, we’ll simplify your search.
Oakland's Section 8 housing is a federally funded program that provides affordable housing for qualifying renters. Residents who earn less than 50% of the city’s median income are typically eligible. If you're interested in applying, contact the Oakland PHA office.
Yes, apartment complexes often have move-in specials. For example, you might get your first month free or pay a reduced security deposit. When searching for your new home, check the listings for rent savings offers.
If you want to get a bit farther from the city center, consider moving to one of these nearby towns:
Welcome to the Apartment List December 2024 Rent Report for Oakland, CA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $1,955, roughly the same as last month. Prices remain down 4.6% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Oakland rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the broader San Francisco metro area and the nation as a whole.
The median rent in Oakland rose by 0.3% over the course of November, and has now decreased by a total of 4.6% over the past 12 months. Oakland’s rent growth over the past year has has fallen behind both the state (0.2%) and national averages (-0.6%).
Eleven months into the year, rents in Oakland have fallen 2.2%. This is a faster rate of growth compared to what the city was experiencing at this point last year: from January to November 2023 rents had decreased 7.2%.
Oakland rents went up 0.3% in the past month, compared to the national rate of -0.8%. Among the nation's 100 largest cities, this ranks #9. Similar monthly rent growth took place in El Paso, TX (0.4%) and Spring Valley, NV (0.2%).
Citywide, the median rent currently stands at $1,789 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $2,148 for a 2-bedroom. Across all bedroom sizes (ie, the entire rental market), the median rent is $1,955. That ranks #17 in the nation, among the country's 100 largest cities.
For comparison, the median rent across the nation as a whole is $1,214 for a 1-bedroom, $1,368 for a 2-bedroom, and $1,382 overall. The median rent in Oakland is 41.5% higher than the national, and is similar to the prices you would find in Seattle, WA ($2,026) and Miami, FL ($1,914).
If we expand our view to the wider San Francisco metro area, the median rent is $2,525 meaning that the median price in Oakland ($1,955) is 22.6% lower than the price across the metro as a whole. Metro-wide annual rent growth stands at 0.1%, above the rate of rent growth within just the city.
The table below shows the latest rent stats for 19 cities in the San Francisco metro area that are included in our database. Among them, San Mateo is currently the most expensive, with a median rent of $3,186. Berkeley is the metro’s most affordable city, with a median rent of $1,835. The metro's fastest annual rent growth is occurring in Redwood City (5.2%) while the slowest is in Berkeley (-7.2%).
You can also use the map below to explore the latest rent trends in the San Francisco metropolitan area.
Apartment List is committed to the accuracy and transparency of our rent estimates. We begin with reliable median rent statistics from the Census Bureau, then extrapolate them forward to the current month using a growth rate calculated from our listing data. In doing so, we use a same-unit analysis similar to Case-Shiller’s approach, capturing apartment transactions over time to provide an accurate picture of rent growth in cities across the country. Our approach corrects for the sample bias inherent in other private sources, producing results that are much closer to statistics published by the Census Bureau and HUD. For more details, please see the Apartment List Rent Estimate Methodology.
Apartment List publishes monthly rent reports and underlying data for hundreds of cities across the nation, as well as data aggregated for counties, metros, and states. These data are intended to be a source of reliable information that help renters and policymakers make sound decisions. Insights from our data are covered regularly by journalists across the country. To access the data yourself, please visit our Data Downloads Page.
Welcome to the Apartment List December 2024 Rent Report for Oakland, CA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $1,955, roughly the same as last month. Prices remain down 4.6% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Oakland rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the broader San Francisco metro area and the nation as a whole.
Apartment List has released Oakland’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
"Oakland renters expressed general dissatisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Some categories received above average scores, but many received below average scores."
Key Findings in Oakland include the following:
Renters say:
"In Oakland, everything I could possibly need is nearbyL public transportation, grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, and parks." -Stephanie P.
"I love the diversity, proximity to other big cities, and the culture. But I dislike the crime, high cost of living, and the lack of parking options." -Rachael N.
"There’s a lot to do here and there’s easy access to other places. Oakland has a lot of character, great shops and food, and great people." -Katrina G.
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
Many people move to San Francisco without ever venturing into the wonderfully local vibe of Oakland. But that just might make your new home even better, honestly. Everything is a little more chill on the east bay, and much more affordable.
Oakland's distinct neighborhoods offer something for everyone
View Oakland City Guide
