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City Report · CA

Oakland

Pop. 439,418·244th most expensive in California·Oakland rents are up 6.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,614/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.8%
vs US Median
+$649
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oakland · $2,614
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Oakland's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,614/mo
Expected by trend
$2,587/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Oakland's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,792
1 BR
$2,062
2 BR
$2,513
3 BR
$3,226
4 BR+
$3,821
Research median
$2,513/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,368/yr
At $2,614/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.9% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Oakland, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 48.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
439,418
Median income
$101,600
Median age
37.9
Renters
57.7%
Age distribution
18.9%
25.5%
29.5%
14.7%
Under 1818.9%
18–3425.5%
35–5429.5%
55–6411.4%
65+14.7%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
29.6%
20.2%
28.7%
15.8%
White29.6%
Black20.2%
Hispanic28.7%
Asian15.8%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
15.2%
15.5%
20.5%
48.7%
No HS diploma15.2%
HS diploma15.5%
Some college20.5%
Bachelor's+48.7%
Housing tenure
42.3%
57.7%
Owner42.3%
Renter57.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Oakland, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,316 → $2,614
up 12.9%
Income
$85,628 → $101,600
up 18.7%
Population
437,548 → 439,418
up 0.4%
Renter share
58.7% → 57.7%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
47.3% → 48.7%
+1.4 pts
Median age
36.9 → 37.9
+1.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Oakland, CA paid around $2,316 a month. That figure now sits near $2,614, up 12.9% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $85,628 to $101,600 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.7% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Taken together, the five-year picture in Oakland, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Oakland

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View Oakland rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Oakland on your salary?

At $2,614/mo, how Oakland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oakland rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Oakland. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oakland

About renting in Oakland, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Oakland is $2,614/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,792/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,513/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,062/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,226/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($101,600/yr), Oakland ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oakland an affordable city for renters?

Oakland is considered moderate for renters. At $2,614/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($101,600/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oakland slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Oakland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,614/mo in Oakland. The local median household income is $101,600/yr, meaning the typical Oakland household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oakland?

Rent in Oakland has increased 6.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Oakland neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Oakland are 94601 ($2,103/mo), 94603 ($2,203/mo), and 94610 ($2,352/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Oakland is $2,614/mo.

How does Oakland rent compare to other cities in California?

Oakland is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #244 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,614/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Oakland?

San Leandro is nearby and more affordable at $2,468/mo, which is $146 less than Oakland.

What percentage of Oakland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.7% of Oakland households are renters, while 42.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Oakland has a strong rental market.

How does Oakland rent compare to the national average?

Oakland's median rent of $2,614/mo is $649 (33%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #244 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,614/mo, rent takes ~31% of Oakland's median household income ($101,600/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oakland 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Oakland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oakland, CA

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