The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Oakland, CA For 2024


The best Oakland neighborhoods are Fairview Park and Piedmont for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Best Neighborhoods In Oakland
Source: Wikipedia User Basil D Soufi | CC BY-SA 3.0

Oakland has seen a huge influx of people over the last 10 years even as California has started to see an outflow. We don’t know if this increase is because it’s one of the top 100 cities in America for singles or because people are crossing the Bay Bridge to flee San Francisco’s high cost of living, but what we do know is that Oakland has some pretty cool neighborhoods. And if you want to know where those neighborhoods are located, you should take a look below at HomeSnacks’ list of the top ten best neighborhoods in Oaktown for 2024.

It’s not that Oakland doesn’t have its fair share of problems–most cities with 422,437 residents generally do, but Oakland is working hard to find solutions that are best for everyone. Oakland is afterall one of the most diverse cities in California. However, where Oakland used to be in the headlines for high crime, the city is now being used in conversations that include words like progress and renewal. And, people, this sense of rebirth is starting in Oakland’s best neighborhoods. For example, if you’re looking for a quirky bohemian enclave, the Fairview Park neighborhood has eclectic coffee shops and a bunch of craft breweries. The Panoramic Hill neighborhood has everything Oakland, but it comes with a pretty expensive price tag. But, if you want the best deal, Piedmont is the most affordable in terms of median income level to home price ratio.

And because HomeSnacks doesn’t want you to live a life with regret, we think that you should definitely make one of Oakland’s best neighborhoods your first Northern California choice. To do this, you’re going to need to keep reading to see your top ten choices.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


The Best Neighborhoods In Oakland For 2024

  1. Fairview Park
  2. Piedmont
  3. Montclair
  4. Forestland
  5. Panoramic Hill
  6. Merriwood
  7. Cleveland Heights
  8. Trestle Glen
  9. Hiller Highlands
  10. Lincoln Highlands

In our quest to determine Oakland’s best neighborhoods, we also ranked the city’s hoods based on safety, unemployment rates, affordability, and amenities and gave each a SnackAbility score. Folks, Oakland’s top ten neighborhoods scored a 9.5/10 and better. So, you know these are some pretty amazing places.

But, what is the best neighborhood in Oakland? According to the latest data that would be Fairview Park.

To see where the rest of Oakland’s neighborhoods ranked take a look below. And if you don’t find your favorite there, head to the bottom.

For more California reading, check out:

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Oakland

Population: 3,992
Median Home Value: $1,188,067 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $132,915 (22nd best)
More on Fairview Park: Data | Real Estate

Population: 10,992
Median Home Value: $1,604,023 (Second best)
Median Income: $204,144 (Fourth best)
More on Piedmont: Data | Real Estate

Population: 4,335
Median Home Value: $1,341,575 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $214,386 (Third best)
More on Montclair: Data | Real Estate

Population: 1,712
Median Home Value: $1,027,200 (18th best)
Median Income: $189,943 (11th best)
More on Forestland: Data | Real Estate

Panoramic Hill Oakland, CA

Source: Wikipedia User | CC-BY-SA-3.0

Population: 1,210
Median Home Value: $1,633,100 (best)
Median Income: $214,500 (Second best)
More on Panoramic Hill: Data | Real Estate

Population: 3,894
Median Home Value: $1,095,433 (Ninth best)
Median Income: $198,252 (Sixth best)
More on Merriwood: Data | Real Estate

Population: 8,157
Median Home Value: $870,700 (30th best)
Median Income: $99,605 (37th best)
More on Cleveland Heights: Data | Real Estate

Trestle Glen Oakland, CA

Source: Flickr User a moment, please | CC BY-ND 2.0

Population: 3,628
Median Home Value: $1,044,300 (16th best)
Median Income: $194,731 (Ninth best)
More on Trestle Glen: Data | Real Estate

Population: 731
Median Home Value: $1,167,950 (Seventh best)
Median Income: $236,635 (best)
More on Hiller Highlands: Data | Real Estate

Population: 1,881
Median Home Value: $912,600 (28th best)
Median Income: $126,466 (26th best)
More on Lincoln Highlands: Data | Real Estate

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Oakland, CA Neighborhoods In 2024

To rank the best neighborhoods in Oakland, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.

Using FBI crime, Census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 128 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index, the “Best City Neighborhood In Oakland.” We’re lookin’ at you, Fairview Park.

Read on below to learn more about what it’s like to live in the best places Oakland, California has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city, from best to worst.

We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Oakland.

Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Oakland

If you’re measuring the neighborhoods in Oakland where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

The best neighborhoods in Oakland are Fairview Park, Piedmont, Montclair, Forestland, Panoramic Hill, Merriwood, Cleveland Heights, Trestle Glen, Hiller Highlands, and Lincoln Highlands.

As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Oakland aren’t all good. Columbia Gardens takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Oakland.

The worst neighborhoods in Oakland are Columbia Gardens, Acorn-Acorn Industrial, Melrose, Produce And Waterfront, and Coliseum Industrial.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more California reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods To Live In Oakland For 2024 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Fairview Park 3,992 $1,188,067 $132,915
2 Piedmont 10,992 $1,604,023 $204,144
3 Montclair 4,335 $1,341,575 $214,386
4 Forestland 1,712 $1,027,200 $189,943
5 Panoramic Hill 1,210 $1,633,100 $214,500
6 Merriwood 3,894 $1,095,433 $198,252
7 Cleveland Heights 8,157 $870,700 $99,605
8 Trestle Glen 3,628 $1,044,300 $194,731
9 Hiller Highlands 731 $1,167,950 $236,635
10 Lincoln Highlands 1,881 $912,600 $126,466
11 Glen Highlands 1,287 $1,079,750 $177,448
12 Lakeshore 4,717 $1,037,650 $169,975
13 Oakmore 2,389 $996,267 $165,721
14 Montclair Business 178 $1,089,800 $198,750
15 Claremont 1,468 $1,082,700 $195,162
16 Shepherd Canyon 1,786 $1,058,967 $176,316
17 Grand Lake 5,165 $632,433 $103,276
18 Upper Rockridge 6,366 $1,277,233 $197,631
19 Glenview 5,707 $966,357 $129,882
20 Redwood Heights 9,316 $779,743 $117,292
21 Lake Merritt 879 $768,150 $115,330
22 Shafter 3,523 $1,107,233 $90,537
23 Upper Dimond 6,177 $842,340 $116,945
24 Woodminster 1,620 $962,100 $187,347
25 Piedmont Pines 3,198 $1,059,900 $183,535
26 Piedmont Avenue 7,021 $736,086 $89,932
27 Mountain View Cemetery 975 $995,900 $146,319
28 Adams Point 8,906 $590,520 $90,098
29 Oak Tree 5,164 $953,033 $46,722
30 Allendale 4,519 $575,025 $66,695
31 Bushrod 7,517 $929,492 $104,139
32 Rockridge 3,431 $1,403,250 $192,072
33 Fairfax 2,414 $560,000 $84,670
34 Golden Gate 2,316 $735,450 $97,038
35 Gaskill 2,243 $819,333 $95,553
36 Paradise Park 2,301 $763,350 $85,442
37 Crestmont 1,079 $962,100 $187,347
38 Maxwell Park 5,657 $661,360 $97,675
39 Ivy Hill 3,355 $677,200 $77,695
40 Clinton 7,705 $579,371 $63,619
41 Jefferson 4,142 $528,650 $67,829
42 Bella Vista 1,407 $675,000 $93,352
43 Chabot Park 4,616 $698,000 $111,840
44 Santa Fe 3,949 $784,650 $90,486
45 Longfellow 6,510 $769,657 $93,785
46 Joaquin Miller Park 862 $1,059,900 $175,972
47 Sausal Creek 2,135 $585,825 $72,278
48 Temescal 4,437 $946,083 $84,384
49 Sobrante Park 3,735 $509,900 $62,560
50 Skyline-Hillcrest Estates 921 $667,400 $123,204
51 Harrington 4,200 $504,200 $53,220
52 Las Palmas 3,120 $473,700 $78,751
53 South Prescott 285 $625,000 $163,932
54 Waverly 1,014 $544,500 $87,012
55 Sequoyah 4,128 $561,700 $120,190
56 Millsmont 5,861 $625,800 $72,298
57 School 2,080 $553,233 $67,199
58 Oakland Ave-Harrison St 5,921 $600,450 $72,751
59 Pill Hill 1,976 $818,600 $78,700
60 Durant Manor 2,578 $582,800 $84,924
61 Patten 2,619 $584,400 $55,978
62 Fremont 5,075 $502,825 $86,075
63 Lakewide 4,439 $830,400 $56,869
64 Northgate 1,790 $875,000 $73,556
65 Caballo Hills 3,096 $474,800 $129,463
66 Merritt 4,429 $588,600 $65,628
67 Golf Links 1,482 $447,750 $93,839
68 Eastmont Hills 2,724 $635,350 $110,692
69 Prescott 5,285 $649,367 $94,056
70 San Pablo Gateway 4,019 $714,300 $81,891
71 Mosswood 2,462 $973,300 $88,010
72 Upper Laurel 5,205 $536,125 $72,640
73 Downtown 3,128 $737,667 $83,100
74 Tuxedo 2,439 $550,067 $59,889
75 Civic Center 832 $650,900 $57,863
76 Hoover-Foster 4,859 $733,500 $71,651
77 Dimond 1,582 $608,150 $63,822
78 Highland Terrace 3,951 $495,840 $49,488
79 Sheffield Village 214 $786,900 $129,130
80 Toler Heights 2,316 $564,133 $73,715
81 Bartlett 2,051 $467,760 $56,034
82 Foothill Square 1,295 $566,500 $64,250
83 Hegenberger 1,788 $390,967 $52,715
84 Brookfield Village 3,656 $422,367 $64,445
85 Castlemont 3,668 $376,320 $42,222
86 Upper Peralta Creek-Bartlett 3,256 $371,600 $48,575
87 Elmhurst Park 1,971 $422,667 $41,152
88 Seminary 4,623 $464,125 $48,993
89 North Stonehurst 4,105 $433,600 $54,529
90 Ralph Bunche 2,276 $704,425 $56,986
91 Clawson 2,185 $592,750 $86,830
92 South Kennedy Tract 1,623 $701,700 $103,944
93 Oak Center 3,677 $758,400 $50,624
94 Hawthorne 2,449 $628,050 $42,796
95 Frick 2,993 $547,733 $65,517
96 Rancho San Antonio 6,055 $533,120 $49,626
97 Lynn-Highland Park 3,096 $451,950 $47,757
98 Arroyo Viejo 5,874 $418,150 $61,366
99 Cox 3,401 $429,957 $48,720
100 Old City-Produce And Waterfront 2,153 $448,040 $76,119
101 Highland 2,818 $398,675 $39,754
102 Fairfax Business-Wentworth-Holland 2,338 $293,750 $44,870
103 Mcclymonds 2,991 $599,300 $62,382
104 South Stonehurst 930 $456,800 $71,490
105 Peralta-Hacienda 2,486 $348,300 $47,859
106 Iveywood 3,875 $422,333 $54,228
107 Eastmont 3,424 $426,967 $53,836
108 Saint Elizabeth 5,809 $248,975 $38,008
109 Reservoir Hill-Meadow Brook 5,292 $329,143 $39,638
110 Chinatown 3,163 $524,900 $31,838
111 Laurel 1,616 $462,967 $51,387
112 Webster 5,190 $413,514 $46,842
113 Woodland 1,863 $362,200 $41,431
114 Arrowhead Marsh 1,372 $611,633 $96,834
115 Lockwood Tevis 2,066 $361,350 $40,750
116 North Kennedy Tract 1,319 $609,800 $37,994
117 East Peralta 1,744 $619,367 $52,764
118 Bancroft Business-Havenscourt 6,963 $241,371 $46,110
119 Fitchburg 1,772 $405,050 $38,804
120 Oakland Airport 409 $400,550 $65,132
121 Coliseum 3,482 $411,367 $37,745
122 Fruitvale Station 704 $372,700 $23,611
123 Peralta-Laney 694 $528,450 $55,739
124 Coliseum Industrial 8,697 $397,467 $45,911
125 Produce And Waterfront 1,348 $177,500 $73,646
126 Melrose 764 $387,700 $52,017
127 Acorn-Acorn Industrial 2,274 $325,257 $60,700
128 Columbia Gardens 105 $328,600 $44,932
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.