Oakland, CA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Oakland, CA: What You Need to Know

Oakland in northern California is known as the Bright Side of the Bay for its cheery weather. It’s one of the city’s biggest differentiators from its famous but foggy neighbor, San Francisco.   

Job Opportunities

Oakland has long stepped out of San Francisco’s shadow as its own economy expands, thanks in part to a highly educated workforce. More than one-third of Oakland residents have a college degree, twice the national average. Schools such as the University of California-Berkeley and California State University-East Bay help provide a stream of skilled professionals. Oakland’s top employers include Kaiser Permanente, Securitas Security Services, Southwest Airlines, Clorox Co., Pandora, and Mettler-Toledo Rainin Instruments.

The Local Sports Scene

Local fans are passionate about the Oakland Raiders (NFL) and the Oakland Athletics (MLB). The A’s have won nine World Series championships, while the Raiders have won the Super Bowl three times. The Golden State Warriors (NBA) played in Oakland from 1971 to 2019. They won four of their five NBA championships while in Oakland. The team moved to San Francisco in 2019.

The Cost of Living in Oakland

Living in the Bay Area is expensive, and Oakland is no exception. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 56.8%, 17.4%, and 42.6% higher than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in Oakland is $1,354 while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,506. New to California? Be aware that its tax rates are among the highest in the country. California levies 1% to 13.3% in income tax and 7.25% to 10.50% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Oakland is located on the east side of the Bay Area. Among the city’s popular neighborhoods: Jack London Square for its easy access to both downtown Oakland and downtown San Francisco and South Stonehurst for its proximity to other job centers in the Bay Area. 60% of Oakland residents rent. Elmwood District in Berkeley has all the amenities of a college town and easy access to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Albany gets kudos for its small-town friendliness and quiet environment. Both suburbs are close to Oakland and known for their excellent public schools.

Local Population

Oakland (population of 433,031) prides itself as one of America’s most ethnically and culturally diverse cities. Waves of African Americans moved to Oakland and the Bay Area after World War II. By 1980, they were a majority in Oakland, representing about 47% of the population. Today, 23.6% of Oakland’s population are Black, 36.1% Caucasian, and 15.7% Asian.