Real Estate Investing in Oakland, California (94621)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94621 (Oakland, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- Declining values: -3.6% 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 (94621)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94621 Oakland
ZIP 94621 inside Alameda County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $452K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The 94621 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
The gap between 94621 and stronger Oakland ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
The 94621 ZIP's population of 34,658 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 94621 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Oakland:
Property Strategy for 94621
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $334,697 | $1,990 | 4.3% | -2.7% | $334,697 |
| 2BR | $423,463 | $2,420 | 4.1% | -2.0% | $211,731 |
| 3BR | $484,228 | $3,090 | 4.6% | -1.4% | $161,409 |
| 4BR | $536,615 | $3,670 | 4.9% | -0.2% | $134,154 |
| 5BR | $618,617 | — | — | -0.5% | $123,723 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94621 Compare?
| Metric | 94621 | Oakland | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $451,530 | $734,424 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,465 | $2,585 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.3% | 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 94621 (Oakland, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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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 | $451,530 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,465 |
| Price-to-Rent | 15.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.6% |
| Cap Rate | 4.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 0.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.5% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -4.0% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -3.6% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -0.5% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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 94621
Population: 34,658
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 94621
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 real estate in Oakland, CA a good investment right now?
Oakland, CA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $452K and rents near $2,465/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
How high is vacancy risk in Oakland, CA?
Vacancy risk in Oakland, CA is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.
Is Oakland, CA landlord-friendly?
CA ranks as a tenant-protective state for landlord-tenant law. Oakland generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Oakland, CA?
For house hackers, Oakland, CA is a challenging. The $2,465/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $452K property.
Are rents high in Oakland, CA?
Rents in Oakland, CA run near $2,465/mo. Compared with median home prices of $452K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
You know 94621 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94621 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 94621 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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