19 Popular Oakland, CA Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Oakland in 2025
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On the east side of the San Francisco Bay is Oakland, a vibrant and lively city home to nearly 433,000 people. Originally a port city, there are many stellar waterfront views and parks throughout Oakland. Not to mention, the city has countless art galleries, museums, concert venues, and some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. In the city, the median home sale price is $805,000, while the average rent in Oakland is $2,350.
If you are looking to make Oakland your home, there is a wide selection of neighborhoods to choose from, each with its own unique character and charm. To help you decide, here is a guide to 19 of the most popular neighborhoods in Oakland (listed alphabetically).
1. Chinatown
Chinatown, often called ‘Oakland Chinatown’ to avoid confusion with San Francisco’s Chinatown, is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the US. There’s a wonderful mix of specialty stores, markets, restaurants, and cafes. There are many cool events that take place throughout the year including Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Oakland Chinatown Streetfest. Chinatown has a variety of older single-family Victorian homes as well as more modern apartment buildings.
Median Sale Price: $399,500
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,650 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,100
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2. Coliseum
The Coliseum neighborhood, situated in the south of Oakland, is located near the Oakland Arena and Oakland Coliseum, allowing you to enjoy a concert or baseball match there. Additionally, the area boasts a selection of parks and delightful eateries. It’s also conveniently located near a BART station and is a walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 72. Coliseum has a great range of housing options, whether you’re looking for older or modern housing. You can find apartments, condos, townhomes, single-family homes, and apartments.
The Dimond District consists of two distinct areas – Upper Dimond and Lower Dimond. With both Dimond Park and Peralta Creek Park in the vicinity, it’s a great place for nature lovers and those who enjoy a leisurely stroll. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and eateries in the neighborhood, making it the perfect destination for foodies. If you’re searching for a great place to walk around, Upper Dimond has plenty of shops and eateries, while Lower Dimond is also highly walkable. The single-family homes in Dimond District are often Craftsman-style bungalows, but you can also find modern townhouses, apartment complexes, as well as co-ops.
Median Sale Price in Lower Dimond: $650,000 | Median Sale Price in Upper Dimond: $1,025,000
Downtown Oakland is home to it all – vibrant culture, award-winning restaurants, and spectacular concert venues. You’ll find landmarks like the Oakland Museum of California, the Fox Theater Oakland, and the Paramount Theatre. It also borders Lake Merritt, so you’ll have some remarkable lake views. There’s plenty to do whether it’s trying a new cuisine, checking out a park, or exploring the historic streets.
Unsurprisingly, Downtown Oakland is the most walkable neighborhood, with a Walk Score of 98. It’s also a fantastic area for biking, and there are over 20 bus lines that run through the area. Downtown Oakland has plenty of historic buildings and homes. Some have been converted into apartments, but you can also find modern high-rise apartments as well.
Median Sale Price: $420,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,596 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,749
Fruitvale is a vibrant neighborhood with much to see and do. Throughout the year you can check out events like the Indigenous Red Market, the Cinco de Mayo festival, and the Dia de los Muertos festival. You’ll find everything from taquerias and food trucks to amazing bakeries and ice cream. Make sure to stop by the Fruitvale Public Market to get a taste of this neighborhood.
Not to mention, Fruitvale has a great Walk Score of 95. It also has lots of public transit options, and you can bike through the area easily. Fruitvale has a variety of housing options – single-family homes, multifamily homes, apartments, duplexes and triplexes, and condos.
Median Sale Price: $680,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,999 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,895
In Glenview, situated to the west of the Dimond District, you will be able to take in awe-inspiring views of the Bay. This district is also home to various noteworthy hiking and walking trails, like El Centro Trailhead and Bridgeview Trailhead, as well as a selection of delicious eateries. Glenview mainly consists of single-family homes, with some apartments and condos. The single-family homes have a distinct charm, as many were built during the 1920s and 1930s.
Grand Lake is located north of Lake Merritt and is known for its amazing views of the lake and surrounding hills. There’s plenty of outdoor activities in the area like visiting the Morcom Rose Garden, or you can spend the afternoon checking out the restaurants on Grand Avenue. It’s a great walkable neighborhood, with a Walk Score of 88. Grand Lake has a variety of home styles from Craftsman, 1920s bungalows, to Victorian and mid-century modern houses. You can also find apartments and townhouses.
Median Sale Price: $915,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,925 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,460
Located in Oakland just south of downtown, Jack London Square is a famous neighborhood, named after author Jack London who was raised in the area. Here, locals can explore a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as enjoy the waterfront. Additionally, there are many monuments and attractions dedicated to London, as well as farmers markets, events, ferries, and a marina for residents to enjoy. Jack London Square has housing options ranging from bungalows and Victorian homes to new high-rise apartments, as well as some waterfront homes.
Median Sale Price: $730,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,579 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,135
Laurel is a small residential and commercial neighborhood just south of the Dimond District. It’s a great area to explore local shops and grab a bite to eat. Laurel is also a neighborhood where you can live without a car, as it has good walkability. The Laurel area has apartments, condos, and single-family homes for sale.
Median Sale Price: $1,300,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,995 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,225
The Merritt neighborhood borders the south end of Lake Merritt and there are many lakefront apartments and homes here. There are some outstanding restaurants in the area, from Thai and Vietnamese to seafood and taquerias. Merritt has a Walk Score of 93 and a Bike Score of 96 so it’s a great neighborhood for both walking and biking. Merritt has a variety of housing options, ranging from lakefront apartments to single-family homes and duplexes.
Montclair is a hillside neighborhood with picturesque views of the nearby hills and the San Francisco Bay. You’ll find plenty of winding streets, trails, and a mix of charming cafes and excellent restaurants. The single-family homes in Montclair were mainly built during the mid-20th century, and many of them are on larger lots. You can also find apartment complexes and modern townhomes.
Median Sale Price: $1,342,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,100 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,200
Mosswood is located north of downtown and is conveniently next to two freeways – the MacArthur Freeway (580) and the Grove Shafter Freeway. You can also find the MacArthur BART station located here. Mosswood is a great neighborhood to get a taste of the city as there are many amazing restaurants. Mosswood has an exceptional Bike Score of 97, so if you’re a biker, this is a great neighborhood to call home. The single-family homes in Mosswood vary in style – think Craftsman, Mission, and Contemporary. There are some condos, mixed-use buildings, and apartments for rent in Mosswood.
North Oakland comprises many sub-neighborhoods and is bordered by Emeryville and Berkeley. There’s plenty to do in this vibrant neighborhood whether it’s visiting Bushrod Park, grabbing a morning coffee and pastry, or trying a new cuisine like Creole or Ethiopian. North Oakland is a mix of older and recently renovated homes, mainly single-and-multi-family homes, as well as condos and apartments.
Median Sale Price: $1,007,500
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,195 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,495
Old Oakland is a historic neighborhood located in the downtown area. It’s conveniently located by Chinatown and the waterfront, so there’s always something new to explore. You can admire the 19th century Victorian buildings, stop by a used bookstore, or grab a bite to eat. Whether you’re looking for a burger, Mexican food, a beer hall, or Japanese cuisine, Old Oakland has it all. Old Oakland has a lot of older Victorian and Craftsman-style homes mixed with new apartment buildings. You can also find converted lofts in some of the historic warehouses.
Not to be confused with the city of Piedmont, Piedmont Avenue is an eclectic and vibrant neighborhood. This area has a one-of-a-kind mix of shops and restaurants, from artisan coffee shops to Californian-inspired eateries. From the iconic Piedmont Theatre to local shops, there’s always something to see in Piedmont Avenue. Piedmont is a wonderful neighborhood for those without a car as the Walk Score is 94, the bikeability is good, and there are close to 9 bus lines in the area. Piedmont Avenue has a mix of single-family homes, mid- and high-rise apartments, as well as condos.
Median Sale Price: $744,500
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,200 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,600
Rockridge is located in North Oakland, with the hills to the east and Berkeley to the north. Here you’ll find quaint tree-lined streets featuring historic homes. There’s lots to check out along College Avenue, so spend time exploring everything Rockridge has to offer its residents. The Rockridge area also has great walkability with a Walk Score of 90. Many of the homes and apartments in Rockridge have picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Temescal is one of Oakland’s oldest neighborhoods and is centered around the iconic Telegraph Avenue, where you’ll find countless great shops and restaurants. During the summer, residents can enjoy the historic Temescal Pool, a public pool located in the center of the neighborhood. Temescal is the 5th most walkable Oakland neighborhood with a Walk Score of 95. It’s also an excellent neighborhood if you have a bike, as the Bike Score is 94. The homes in Temescal are mainly mid-century modern architecture, while condos and apartments are more contemporary.
Median Sale Price: $1,120,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,275 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,051
Known for its Art Deco buildings and vibrant atmosphere, you’ll find Uptown in the heart of Oakland. There’s plenty to do and see, whether that’s checking out a show at the famous Fox Theater, visiting an art gallery, or grabbing a drink or innovative bite to eat at a local restaurant. Uptown has it all, from single-family homes and townhouses to condos and apartment buildings.
Median Sale Price: $544,000
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,650 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,920
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19. West Oakland
West Oakland is on the northwest side of Oakland, bordered by Emeryville to the north. There are several parks located throughout the neighborhood. You can also find lots of music venues, creative street art, and some historic buildings like the 16th Street Train Station. In West Oakland, there are a variety of housing options, such as historic single-family homes, Victorian-style homes, and multi-unit apartment buildings.
Median Sale Price: $690,950
Average Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,100 | Average Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,412
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com during November 2024. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during November 2024.
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Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Specialist. In her 4 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers’ markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.
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