Living in Alameda, CA
Alameda is the 497th-largest city in the US, home to about 77,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well above the national average (115.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 76,876-1.8% since 2020
- Median home value
- $1,235,7009.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,474/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $137,697median, per year
- Price level
- 115.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 58° / 72°lows 42° / 56°
- Average commute
- 32 min33% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Alameda County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 33 ft
Metro area: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Cost of living in Alameda
The median home in Alameda is worth $1,235,700 and the median household earns $137,697 a year, so a typical home costs about 9.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,474 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area at 115.6, with housing at 194.7 and goods at 108.5 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $86,700 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Alameda?
Alameda weather
Average highs run from 58°F in January to 72°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 19 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are March to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Alameda
People and work
The median resident is 41.0 years old, and 62% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 51% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 32 minutes; 33% of workers work from home and 10% take public transit.
- Median age
- 41.0477th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 62%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 51%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,39310.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 10%3% walk, 2.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 7.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1965median year
Who moves to Alameda, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Seattle (King County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for Alameda County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, wildfire, coastal flooding.
Home prices
-4.8% in a year
Up 8% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Oakland-Fremont-Berkeley, CA (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Alameda
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Oracle Park 8 miles
- Stanford University 24 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Alameda
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 4 mi | 5,292,736 |
| San Francisco International Airport SFO | 13 mi | 25,078,968 |
| San Jose International Airport SJC | 33 mi | 5,822,019 |
| Stockton Metropolitan Airport SCK | 55 mi | 63,668 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Alameda
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Berkeley | 7 mi | 33,068 | $14,538 | 94% |
| San Francisco State University | 13 mi | 18,639 | $9,803 | 50% |
| Diablo Valley College | 17 mi | 15,358 | $710 | 55% |
| California State University-East Bay | 13 mi | 9,809 | $6,858 | 49% |
| College of San Mateo | 17 mi | 7,977 | n/a | 53% |
| Skyline College | 16 mi | 7,620 | $616 | n/a |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Alameda
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 7, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 4 and the first frost comes around December 23.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Oakland Metro Intl. Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Alameda.
Wildfire smoke in Alameda
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Alameda on about 47 days a year, including about 10 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Alameda
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 29,988 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Alameda
Downtown Alameda is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda City Unified School District | K to 12 | 9,292 | 16 | 23.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: San Francisco Unified School District (48,902 students), Oakland Unified School District (33,838 students), West Contra Costa Unified School District (25,244 students), Hayward Unified School District (17,377 students), Castro Valley Unified School District (9,570 students), Berkeley Unified School District (9,162 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Alameda's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Alameda's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Torrance, CA69% matchCompare
- Carlsbad, CA67% matchCompare
- Santa Barbara, CA65% matchCompare
- Santa Monica, CA65% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Alameda
- Dodge Ridge Ski Area 128 miles
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort 131 miles
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 134 miles
- Sierra-at-Tahoe 137 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Alameda
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 9 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data 10% of workers take public transit, so living without a car is realistic.
- Data A highly educated city: 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 9.0 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 16% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Commutes are long: 32 minutes each way on average.
- Data High natural hazard risk in Alameda County (FEMA rates it very high), led by inland flooding, earthquake and wildfire.
Alameda report card from locals
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Cities near Alameda
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland, CA | 2 mi | 440,838 | $929,900 | 115.6 | Compare |
| San Leandro, CA | 7 mi | 85,353 | $844,200 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Berkeley, CA | 7 mi | 121,911 | $1,413,900 | 115.6 | Compare |
| San Francisco, CA | 10 mi | 826,079 | $1,394,500 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Hayward, CA | 12 mi | 157,113 | $854,400 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Richmond, CA | 13 mi | 114,861 | $668,200 | 115.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Alameda ranks 48th of 66 in our best suburbs of San Francisco ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Alameda with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Alameda a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 9 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, long commutes. Compare Alameda side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Alameda?
The Census Bureau estimates Alameda had 76,876 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 78,281 in April 2020 (-1.8%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Alameda?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $86,700 in the Alameda area. The median household here earns $137,697.
When is the best time to visit Alameda?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 72°F and January 58°F for daytime highs.
What county is Alameda in?
Alameda is in Alameda County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Alameda in?
Alameda is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Alameda?
About 33 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Alameda. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Oakland Metro Intl. Airport, CA station; snowfall from Oakland Museum, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.