Real Estate Investing in Oakland, California (94601)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94601 (Oakland, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Declining values: -3.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Oakland, CA (94601)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94601 Oakland
ZIP 94601 in Oakland, CA carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $556K and rents of $2,235/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The 94601 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
In the broader CA picture, 94601 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
A solid renter share of 66% in 94601 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 94601 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Oakland:
Property Strategy for 94601
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $413,871 | $1,990 | 3.5% | -4.6% | $413,871 |
| 2BR | $500,194 | $2,420 | 3.5% | -2.0% | $250,097 |
| 3BR | $584,050 | $3,090 | 3.8% | -1.3% | $194,683 |
| 4BR | $639,026 | $3,670 | 4.1% | -0.7% | $159,757 |
| 5BR | $707,955 | — | — | -0.6% | $141,591 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94601 Compare?
| Metric | 94601 | Oakland | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $555,892 | $734,424 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,235 | $2,585 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% | 2.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 94601 (Oakland, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 94601 (Oakland, CA)?
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Property managers serving Alameda County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Accountable Property Management offers residential, commercial, and HOA property management services in Hayward, CA and the Greater Bay Area Rental Market. summary from their website
Advent Properties, Inc. offers comprehensive, responsive, and professional property management and real estate services in the Bay Area, East Bay, and Sacramento regions. summary from their website
Community Association Management (CAM) provides management services for Common Interest Developments in the San Francisco Bay Area. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $555,892 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,235 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | N/A |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -1.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -4.0% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -3.7% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +12.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 94601
Population: 52,289
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 94601
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 12,284 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakland, CA a smart market for rental property?
With a 2.0/5 investability score, Oakland, CA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $556K and rents of $2,235/mo drive the underlying numbers.
What does house hacking look like in Oakland, CA?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Oakland, CA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
What do landlords charge for rent in Oakland, CA?
Rent in Oakland, CA is around $2,235/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $556K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Is housing expensive in Oakland, CA?
Oakland, CA home values average about $556K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,235/mo in monthly income.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Oakland, CA?
Oakland, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
You know 94601 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94601 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 94601 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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Community Ratings
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