1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Oakland, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Oakland, California as of October 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $2,758 and +48% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Oakland
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Oakland
Compare Oakland's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Oakland.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Oakland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda, CA | 4 mi | $2,230 | +$168 (+8%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 5.5 mi | $2,350 | +$288 (+14%) |
| Orinda, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,410 | +$348 (+17%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,178 | +$116 (+6%) |
| San Leandro, CA | 7.8 mi | $1,955 | $-107 (-5%) |
| Moraga, CA | 8.1 mi | $2,590 | +$528 (+26%) |
| Albany, CA | 8.4 mi | $2,200 | +$138 (+7%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,170 | +$108 (+5%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,170 | +$108 (+5%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,880 | +$818 (+40%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 11.3 mi | $2,100 | +$38 (+2%) |
| Richmond, CA | 13.5 mi | $1,950 | $-112 (-5%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Oakland — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Oakland?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Oakland, California is $2,062 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $2,758.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Oakland?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $82,480 ($6,873/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Oakland expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Oakland's 1-bedroom median of $2,062 is +48% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 84th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Oakland rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Oakland ranks #161 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Oakland?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Leandro ($1,955), Richmond ($1,950).