Why Live in Uptown
Oakland's Uptown neighborhood is a vibrant cultural district known for its historic charm and iconic buildings like the Fox Oakland Theater and the Paramount Theatre. Redeveloped in the early 2000s, Uptown is now the city's official "Arts and Culture District," featuring colorful murals, unique public art installations, and community art walk events. The neighborhood boasts high walkability and central convenience, with the 19th Street/Oakland BART Station and multiple public bus routes within walking distance. Dining options are plentiful, including Shinmai, a Japanese restaurant with a California twist, and Deluge, an omakase-style sushi counter in Swan’s Market. For nightlife, Bar Shiru offers Tokyo-inspired cocktails in a jazz vinyl-plastered interior. Uptown's housing includes a mix of condos, repurposed warehouses, and a few iconic single-family Bay Area Victorian homes. The area is home to Preservation Park, featuring early 20th-century Victorians saved from demolition. Cultural attractions abound, with the Paramount Theatre and Fox Theatre hosting concerts and theatrical acts, and museums like the Museum of Children’s Arts and the African American Museum nearby. Outdoor recreation includes small parks like Lafayette Square and Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, as well as proximity to Lake Merritt for boating and sailing. Students can attend the highly rated Oakland Technical High School. While the neighborhood has seen investments to enhance security, it remains a lively and engaging place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uptown a good place to live?
Uptown is a good place to live. Uptown is considered very walkable with great transit options. Uptown has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 49.7 people per acre and a median age of 38. The average household income is $140,552 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 61.7% of residents. A majority of residents in Uptown are renters, with 92.4% of residents renting and 7.6% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Uptown can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Uptown neighborhood guide.
Is Uptown, CA a safe neighborhood?
Uptown, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 6 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Uptown?
The median home price in Uptown is $615,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $123,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.18%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,010 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $129K a year to afford the median home price in Uptown. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Uptown is $141K.
What are the best public schools in Uptown?
The best public schools that serve Uptown are:
What are the best private schools in Uptown?
The best private schools that serve Uptown are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Uptown, Oakland, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Uptown, Oakland, CA?
Home Trends in Uptown, CA
On average, homes in Uptown, Oakland sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Uptown, Oakland over the last 12 months is $585,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$585,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$649,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$405,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$490
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median List Price
$615,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%