Apartments for Rent in Temescal
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 141 apartments for rent in Temescal, starting at $1,050/month. Listings are aggregated from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources and refreshed continuously.
Temescal is a North Oakland neighborhood centered on Telegraph Avenue, roughly between 40th and 51st Streets, that has shifted over the past two decades from a quiet working-class district into one of the East Bay's most talked-about dining destinations. The corridor is anchored by longtime draws like Burma Superstar alongside a notable cluster of Ethiopian and Korean restaurants, plus a dense run of cafes, bakeries, and bars. Tucked off the main drag, Temescal Alley is a cluster of former stable and workshop buildings now filled with independent shops, a barber, and small-batch food vendors. The neighborhood retains a good deal of its older housing fabric while newer infill has arrived closer to the commercial spine. It sits just south of Rockridge and west of Piedmont Avenue, giving it easy reach to some of Oakland's better-known retail streets.
141 listings available — updated September 2, 2026, refreshed continuously
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Living in Temescal
The vibe
Temescal reads as lived-in and unpretentious rather than polished, with a mix of decades-old family businesses and newer independent restaurants sharing the same blocks. Telegraph Avenue is the social center, busiest in the evenings and on weekends when the restaurants and Temescal Alley draw crowds from across the East Bay. The side streets are largely residential and calmer, lined with bungalows, older apartment buildings, and mature street trees. A weekly farmers market and a strong roster of locally owned storefronts give it a neighborhood identity that has held on through the area's rising profile. The overall feel is diverse, walkable, and food-forward without the manicured quality of some pricier nearby districts.
Getting around
MacArthur BART station sits at the neighborhood's southern edge and is within walking distance of much of Temescal, putting downtown Oakland, downtown Berkeley, and San Francisco's Embarcadero and Montgomery stations within a direct ride. AC Transit buses run frequently along Telegraph Avenue and connect to Berkeley to the north and downtown Oakland to the south. The neighborhood's grid is flat and highly walkable, and the commercial corridor is friendly to cyclists. State Route 24 and Interstate 580 are both close by for drivers, which makes car trips convenient but also means some blocks carry freeway-adjacent traffic. Street parking is available but can tighten near the restaurant strip during peak dining hours.
The rental market
The rental stock leans toward older buildings — early-twentieth-century bungalows, converted houses, and vintage low-rise apartment blocks — with a smaller share of newer construction concentrated near the Telegraph corridor and MacArthur BART. Renters will find everything from studios and one-bedrooms in classic buildings to larger flats and single-family homes on the residential side streets, so the mix works for both individuals and families. Amenities vary widely: older units often trade in-building extras for character and space, while newer projects are more likely to offer in-unit laundry, parking, and updated finishes. On balance the neighborhood is priced below Rockridge and other higher-end Oakland districts while still commanding a premium over less central parts of the city, reflecting its location and dining draw.
Who it's for
Temescal suits renters who want walkable access to a strong food-and-cafe scene and a straightforward BART commute without paying Rockridge-level rents. It works well for young professionals, couples, and small families drawn to older housing with character and a genuine neighborhood feel. Those who value independent shops, a farmers market, and being between Berkeley and downtown Oakland will find it well positioned. The honest tradeoffs: much of the housing is older and can mean fewer modern amenities and less predictable soundproofing; the Telegraph strip gets busy and noisy on weekend evenings; proximity to SR-24 and I-580 brings traffic and freeway noise on some blocks; and rents, while under the priciest nearby areas, have climbed steadily as the neighborhood's popularity has grown.
Frequently asked
How many apartments are available in Temescal right now?
As of September 2, 2026, Rentomatics tracks 141 apartments for rent in Temescal. Listings refresh continuously from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area sources.
What is the rent for a typical apartment in Temescal?
Among current Rentomatics listings, apartments in Temescal start at $1,050/month, with an average of $2,725 and a median of $2,586/month. Prices reflect 141 active listings updated September 2, 2026.
How often are Rentomatics listings updated?
Rentomatics continuously refreshes listings from Craigslist, Zumper, and other Bay Area rental sources. Stale listings are removed within 5 days of last sighting.
Does Rentomatics show broker fees?
Yes. Every Rentomatics listing displays whether a broker fee applies, and users can filter to show only no-fee apartments.
What is Temescal like?
Temescal went from working-class to Oakland's hottest food corridor — Telegraph Ave between 40th and 51st has Burma Superstar, Homeroom mac and cheese, and the Temescal Alley shops. MacArthur BART is a short walk. Rents have climbed but still come in under Rockridge.