Everyone knows that rent in the Bay Area is incredibly expensive, but Zumper's Annual Rent Report takes a hard look at the actual numbers and reveals some interesting surprises. As expected, San Francisco is home to the country's steepest rent, probably because we're the best city. Yet, amazingly, SF is not the country's hottest market. That honor goes to… Oakland!
According to Zumper, "Oakland, California rent prices surged 20% this past year to keep pace with demand overflowing from San Francisco. With quick access via BART to downtown San Francisco, many have fled the city for more space and relatively lower prices across the Bay."
That 20% increase in Oakland means a one-bedroom across the Bay averages $1,980 a month. In San Francisco, that same one-bedroom is $3,500. You might want to brace yourself for the median one-bedroom rent in Wichita, Kansas: $450. FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS A MONTH.
Oakland (20% up from last year) and San Francisco (12%) aren't the only local cities with rising rents. San Jose's average rent is up almost 15% to a whopping $2,230.
While it's interesting to check out Zumper's rent report and consider a move to Nashville ($820) or Cleveland ($640), a quick glance out the window and down the block to some of the best restaurants, culture, innovation and views in the world keeps us forking over the big bucks. Sigh.
On a related note, here's an apropos version of Downfall's classic bunker scene meme. This version, by Matthew Ward, features Herr Hitler trying to rent an apartment in San Francisco.
