6 Most Affordable Oakland Suburbs to Live In

Call it by the nickname “The Town,” Oakland, CA, has become a destination for many people moving to East Bay. This Northern California city is known for many things, including being a hub for the arts and culture and its proximity to San Francisco. 

You’ll find that the median home sale price is $844,500, the average sale price per square foot is $596, and the housing market is very competitive. And if you’re considering renting an apartment in Oakland, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $3,878.

Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – you’ve got options. To help you find the right place to buy a home or rent an apartment, we’ve collected a list of the 6 best affordable Oakland suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city. No matter where you move, you’ll still be close enough to Oakland to explore the city’s great neighborhoods without the price of living there. 

#1: Emeryville

Median home price: $445,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $640 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,777 
Driving distance from Oakland: 10 minutes
Emeryville, CA homes for sale
Emeryville, CA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price nearly $400K less than Oakland, Emeryville claims the first spot on our list of affordable Oakland suburbs. About a 10-minute drive from downtown Oakland, Emeryville is home to roughly 12,900 people. If you’re considering moving to this area, check out Emeryville Marina Park, Point Emery, or grab a bite at one of the local spots.

#2: San Pablo

Median home price: $579,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $460 
Driving distance from Oakland: 20 minutes
San Pablo, CA homes for sale
San Pablo, CA apartments for rent

San Pablo is about $130K more expensive than Emeryville. It’s just about 20 minutes from Oakland, so you can visit the Oakland Zoo in no time. Living in San Pablo, you’ll want to visit one of the parks or head to nearby Point Pinole Regional Park. This suburb is home to about 32,100 people, and you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.

#3: Richmond

Median home price: $690,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $522 
Driving distance from Oakland: 20 minutes
Richmond, CA homes for sale
Richmond, CA apartments for rent

Just 20 minutes north of Oakland, you’ll find the suburb of Richmond. Even with a population of about 116,400, there are plenty of fun things to do in Richmond. If you’re moving to the third most affordable suburb, visit the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, explore the trails at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, and shop and dine in the historic Downtown Richmond. 

#4: San Lorenzo

Median home price: $755,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $625 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,895 
Driving distance from Oakland: 15 minutes
San Lorenzo, CA homes for sale
San Lorenzo, CA apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Richmond is San Lorenzo, the next suburb on our list. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in this Oakland suburb. Make sure to take a stroll through San Lorenzo Community Park and visit the McConaghy House.

#5: Hayward

Median home price: $815,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $574 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,662 
Driving distance from Oakland: 25 minutes
Hayward, CA homes for sale
Hayward, CA apartments for rent

Only a 25-minute drive into the city, consider adding Hayward to your list of Oakland suburbs to check out. Home to about 163,000 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Oakland without paying the price for a home in the city. In Hayward, you can visit the Japanese Gardens at the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, walk through the Meek Mansion and gardens, and check out the expansive Eden Landing Ecological Reserve.

#6: San Leandro

Median home price: $820,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $565 
Driving distance from Oakland: 15 minutes
San Leandro, CA homes for sale
San Leandro, CA apartments for rent

Another noteworthy Oakland suburb is San Leandro, where the home prices are about $20K less than in Oakland. With roughly 91,000 people calling San Leandro home, it’s a great area to consider buying a house or renting an apartment in. Make sure to visit one of the many waterfront parks like the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, check out some of the historic homes in the city, and grab a bite at one of the great local restaurants. You won’t get tired of this great suburb.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Oakland and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Oakland. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.

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