Oakland
- B+Overall Grade
- City in California
- 385 reviews
- Public SchoolsC
- Crime & SafetyC-
- HousingD+
- NightlifeA+
- Good for FamiliesB-
- DiversityA+
- JobsC+
- WeatherA+
- Cost of LivingD+
- Health & FitnessA+
- Outdoor ActivitiesA+
- CommuteA-
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$564,500
National
$184,700Median Rent
$1,255
National
$949Sponsored Mortgage Options for Oakland
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Oakland Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Oakland Neighborhood Map
Colleges in Oakland
- Best
- A-Z
- B+
Mills College
- 4 Year
- Oakland, CA
- 685 reviews
- B-
Holy Names University
- 4 Year
- Oakland, CA
- 341 reviews
- B-
SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary
- 4 Year
- El Dorado Hills, CA
- 38 reviews
- C+
Merritt College
- 2 Year
- Oakland, CA
- 207 reviews
- C-
Laney College
- 2 Year
- Oakland, CA
- 255 reviews
- 1 of 3
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
C-
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Working in Oakland
Jobs
C+
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$63,251
National
$55,322Oakland Reviews
385 reviews
All Categories
Oakland is an amazing city known for its diversity, cultural influence, and overall beauty! Come visit and enjoy a multitude of entertainment experiences including the harbor at Jack London Square, the redwoods that line Redwood Regional Preserve, and the hip nightlife scene in bustling downtown Oakland. Oakland has something to offer for all residents and visitors, so come and explore!
Oakland: a city of beautiful neighborhoods, wildly creative artists (highest number of artists per capita); diverse and inclusive (high number of interracial marriages, families, couples) for both sis gendered and LGBTQ folk; wildly inventive world-class cuisine found at places ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to quirky food trucks. The "old" Oakland of grit and hardscrabble remains as does an "old" and largely unacknowledged Oakland of wealthy hillside neighborhoods and their mansions, estates, and smaller but just as nifty woodsy retreats.
But a "new" Oakland is definitely rising, with billions of dollars of new skyscrapers and entirely new neighborhoods going up from the Bay shore to the city's already affluent hills. Strikingly, many of the "gentrifiers" are not only people of colour, but also younger people of colour born and raised in Oakland.
But a "new" Oakland is definitely rising, with billions of dollars of new skyscrapers and entirely new neighborhoods going up from the Bay shore to the city's already affluent hills. Strikingly, many of the "gentrifiers" are not only people of colour, but also younger people of colour born and raised in Oakland.
Oakland is a diverse, resilient, and vibrant community. The city’s love for art and social justice is evident- there are murals on every block! Folks instill the beauty and power of art into their children and build social gatherings around it (i.e. Oakland Art & Wine Festival, Mural Festivals, Art Walks, and more!). It can be expensive to live here. The Tech Bubble has yet to burst, and unfortunately many Natives are slowly being pushed out farther and farther into the East Bay. Still, the folks who remain here aren’t going down without a fight. They support local businesses and they care deeply about EVERYONE in their city. They are the nicest people you will ever meet.