Last updated
Average Rent in Downtown Oakland & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 12 apartment communities in Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$2,794/mo
▲ +0.7% from last month
Lowest Available
$1,895/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
12
tracked daily
Units Listed
49
available now
Price Cuts This Week in Downtown Oakland
30 listed units across 7 buildings offering studio units in Downtown Oakland dropped their asking rent in the past 7 days, an average cut of $82/mo. These are the largest cuts, tracked unit by unit with daily price checks.
| Apartment | Unit | Last Week | Now | Cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 3001 | $5,378 | $5,225 | $153 |
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 2409 | $5,084 | $4,960 | $124 |
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 3611, 2 Bed-2 Bath | $6,174 | $6,050 | $124 |
| 1717 Webster | Unit 1924 | $3,911 | $3,795 | $116 |
| Residences at Lake Merritt | Unit 211, Studio E1B | $2,514 | $2,406 | $108 |
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 2111 | $5,702 | $5,599 | $103 |
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 2501 | $5,300 | $5,199 | $101 |
| 1900 Broadway | Unit 2109 | $5,054 | $4,954 | $100 |
Downtown Oakland vs Oakland, CA Average
Downtown Oakland is cheaper the Oakland, CA average by $785/mo (22%). The citywide average is $3,579/mo across all neighborhoods.
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Downtown Oakland?
As of July 2026, the average rent in Downtown Oakland is $2,794 per month across 12 apartment communities and 49 available units. Rents have increased $21 (0.7%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is Lydian starting at $1,895/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $2,794/mo.
Prices range from $1,895 to $4,469 per month. The most common price point is the $2,400 range, where 10 units are currently listed.
Downtown Oakland Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | $2,802 | - | 10 |
| June 2026 | $3,030 | +$228 | 11 |
| July 2026 | $3,062 | +$32 | 12 |
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Downtown Oakland
Rent Prices by Apartment in Downtown Oakland
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lydian | $1,895/mo | $1,895/mo | 1 | 3.6 |
| Forma | $1,910/mo | $2,134/mo | 6 | 4.6 |
| Alta Waverly | $2,025/mo | $2,393/mo | 3 | 4.9 |
| Lantana Uptown | $2,180/mo | $2,223/mo | 2 | 4.5 |
| Bell Uptown District Apartments | $2,195/mo | $2,235/mo | 2 | 4.4 |
| Residences at Lake Merritt | $2,311/mo | $2,447/mo | 6 | 4.3 |
| Domain Oakland | $2,365/mo | $2,390/mo | 2 | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Downtown Oakland
What is the average rent in Downtown Oakland?
Is rent going up or down in Downtown Oakland?
What is the cheapest apartment in Downtown Oakland?
How many apartments are available in Downtown Oakland?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Downtown Oakland?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$112,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $2,794/mo.
Comfortable income
$134,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,895/mo), you need to earn at least $76,000/year.
Median household income in Downtown Oakland is $97,369 , about 27% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Downtown Oakland
Overall prices in Downtown Oakland runs above the national average by about 18% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 117.6, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Downtown Oakland's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $2,794 |
| Utilities | $861 |
| Groceries | $622 |
| Transportation | $2,051 |
| Healthcare | $1,001 |
| Other goods and services | $1,601 |
| Estimated total | $8,930/mo |
Population
438,072
Median household income
$97,369
Census median rent
$1,917/mo
Rent as % of income
30.5%
Median age
37.6
Mean commute
31 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for Downtown Oakland Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Downtown Oakland Apartments
Browse all 12 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.