Oakland, CA vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026

Oakland, CA vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side

Metric● Oakland, CA● Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Alpha Score1752
Price Momentum21—
Inventory Health—99
Affordability319
Economic Strength3953
Rental Yield218
Median Sale Price$932K—
Price-to-Income7.34.6
Payment-to-Income44.0%28.8%
Months of Supply2—
Gross Rental Yield3.0%4.2%
Overvaluation Index5020

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Oakland, CA and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Oakland, CA 3/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 19/100.
  • Economic Strength: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Oakland, CA 39/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 53/100.
  • Rental Yield: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Oakland, CA 2/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 18/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Oakland, CA or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria scores higher — 52 vs 17 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Oakland, CA or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 7.3 in Oakland, CA and 4.6 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Oakland, CA market brief and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.