Living in Alameda, CA offers a unique lifestyle in a charming island city with the convenience of being close to major urban centers. Located in the San Francisco Bay, just across from Oakland, Alameda is known for its historic architecture, beautiful waterfront, and vibrant community life. The city’s small-town feel, combined with its easy access to San Francisco and Oakland, makes it an attractive place to live.
Alameda’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from waterfront seafood restaurants to cozy cafes. The city’s Park Street and Webster Street districts are bustling with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, providing residents with plenty of options for leisure and recreation. The annual Alameda Island Jam is a local favorite, celebrating the city’s unique culture with food, music, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Alameda provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s beaches, including Crown Memorial State Beach, are perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and enjoying the stunning views of San Francisco Bay. The nearby Alameda Point, a former naval base, offers additional opportunities for kayaking, birdwatching, and exploring the natural beauty of the Bay Area.
Alameda is also known for its strong sense of community and historical significance. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Alameda Fourth of July Parade and the Art & Wine Faire, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the local culture. The city’s proximity to San Francisco and Oakland means that residents can easily access the amenities of major cities, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to California, Alameda offers a perfect blend of island charm, outdoor beauty, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its beaches, cultural events, or proximity to San Francisco, living in Alameda, CA provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Alameda, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 79,827 residents. In Alameda, there are 7,640 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Individuals of White (46%) and Asian (32%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Alameda. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Alameda offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 35 minutes.
Living in Alameda can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, you can easily compare the best places to live in Alameda and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Alameda to California and the national average.
The livability score in Alameda is 69 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 74th percentile of all cities across America. There is at least one category that did not score well in Alameda. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).
The Alameda unemployment rate of 2.71% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Alameda is actually affordable. The median home price for Alameda homes is $920,200, which is 124.8% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Alameda, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 8.6, which is 34.4% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Alameda | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 54.4% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.6% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 18.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.0% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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