Oakland, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 17, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Oakland is $2,578, a 1% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,552.
Studio Apartments at $2,024 offer the most budget-friendly option with 517 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 689 square feet for $2,364, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,172 offer 1,041 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,392 sq ft) for $4,408, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Oakland, CA
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,578 | 771 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,024 | 517 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,364 | 689 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,172 | 1,041 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $4,408 | 1,392 sq. ft. |
Oakland, CA rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in Oakland, CA?
The largest share of rentals in Oakland, CA (35%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Oakland, CA?
100,947 or 58% of the households in Oakland, CA are renter-occupied while 72,232 or 42% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Oakland?
Castlemont $1,904/month
Lakeside $1,966/month
Grand Lake $2,157/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,578/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Oakland?
Downtown Oakland $2,831/month
Waverly $2,862/month
Merritt $2,998/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Oakland, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Merritt | $2,998 |
| Waverly | $2,862 |
| Downtown Oakland | $2,831 |
| Mosswood | $2,770 |
| HarriOak | $2,747 |
| Peralta | $2,734 |
| Jack London | $2,707 |
| Piedmont Avenue | $2,639 |
| Civic Center | $2,609 |
| Northgate | $2,581 |
| Pill Hill | $2,531 |
| Uptown Oakland | $2,381 |
| Old Oakland | $2,279 |
| Adams Point | $2,267 |
| Grand Lake | $2,157 |
| Lakeside | $1,966 |
| Castlemont | $1,904 |
Oakland | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Adams Point is 19% higher than in Castlemont
Adams Point rent is 12% lower than Oakland average
Castlemont rent is 26% lower than Oakland average
How Oakland Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Oakland | $2,578 |
| Los Angeles | $2,740 |
| San Francisco | $3,580 |
| East Bay | $2,643 |
| San Diego | $2,958 |
| Long Beach | $2,645 |
| Sacramento | $1,894 |
| San Jose | $3,118 |
| Tulare | $1,674 |
| Santa Monica | $3,626 |
| Sunnyvale | $3,425 |
| Berkeley | $3,294 |
| San Mateo | $3,604 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,417 |
| Alameda, CA | $2,987 |
| Walnut Creek, CA | $2,585 |
| Danville, CA | $3,093 |
| San Leandro, CA | $2,322 |
| Pleasanton, CA | $2,699 |
| Concord, CA | $2,330 |
| Burlingame, CA | $3,649 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Oakland apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.