Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $2.31M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Undervalued
    $58k(2)
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    4%(2)

(2) City data used

At a glance

Elmwood is ranked #9 of 18 neighborhoods in Berkeley with an overall score of 3.9/5. Its standout factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.5/5), at a median home price of $2.31M, which Houseberry currently rates as overvalued by about $206,000. It ranks 12th of 18 in Berkeley for schools. No factor scores below 3.7/5, its weakest being safety, with prices running about 32% above the Berkeley median.

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Walkable, College Avenue, Elmwood Theater

Elmwood is a quintessential Berkeley neighborhood known for its walkable streets, cozy cafés, and graceful early-20th-century homes. College Avenue serves as the neighborhood’s central spine, lined with boutiques, restaurants, and spots like the historic Elmwood Theater—a beloved movie house that anchors local culture. Many of the surrounding streets feature beautifully maintained Craftsman homes, showcasing the kind of architectural character that has long drawn residents to the area. In addition to the lively commercial strip, Elmwood offers easy access to Willard Park, where families and neighbors gather for casual sports, picnics, and seasonal community events. This combination of everyday convenience and neighborhood charm makes it a favorite among Berkeley locals. Commuters also appreciate Elmwood’s proximity to bus routes and its relatively short distance to the UC Berkeley campus. Balancing a small-town feel with an eclectic urban edge, Elmwood remains one of the city’s most sought-after areas—perfect for those who value a close-knit community alongside vibrant local amenities.

See City Review for: Berkeley

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Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    5.0

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4.5

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    4

Overall Amenities score: 4.4

Neighborhood Weather

78%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 78% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Elmwood is the sunniest of Berkeley's 18 neighborhoods, and it out-suns about a third of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is September, averaging 75° highs, and it gets about 25 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDSep 75°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Berkeley
1st of 18
Across the Bay Area
32nd percentile
Rain per year
25 in
Warmest month
Sep 75° avg high
Summer day
55° → 74°F
Winter day
44° → 59°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

Schools serving this Neighborhood

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Elmwood FAQs10 answers

Is Elmwood a good place to live?

Elmwood ranks 9th of 18 neighborhoods in Berkeley with an overall Houseberry score of 3.9 out of 5. Its strongest factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.5/5). The trade-off is a median home price of $2.31M against the Berkeley median of $1.75M.

Is Elmwood safe?

Elmwood, Berkeley scores 3.7 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 9th of 18 neighborhoods in Berkeley.

What do homes in Elmwood cost?

The median home price in Elmwood, Berkeley is $2.31M, compared with $1.75M for Berkeley as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it overvalued by about $206,000 against comparable neighborhoods.

Are home prices in Elmwood rising or falling?

The median home price in Elmwood, Berkeley is up about 6.3% over the past 12 months, from $2.17M to $2.31M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Elmwood?

Schools serving Elmwood, Berkeley include Cornell Elementary (4.7/5), Marin Elementary (4.5/5), Ocean View Elementary (3.5/5), Emerson Elementary (4.2/5) and Sylvia Mendez Elementary (3.8/5). 12 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.

What is the weather like in Elmwood?

Elmwood, Berkeley receives 78% of its possible sunshine, the sunniest of Berkeley's 18 neighborhoods. Summer days run 55° to 74°F and winter days 44° to 59°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 25 inches a year.

Is Elmwood walkable to shops and restaurants?

Elmwood, Berkeley scores 5.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 4.4 out of 5, 2nd of 18 in Berkeley.

What is Elmwood known for?

Elmwood, Berkeley is associated with Walkable, College Avenue and Elmwood Theater. Its highest-scoring factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.5/5).

How does Elmwood compare to other Berkeley neighborhoods?

Elmwood ranks 9th of 18 neighborhoods in Berkeley. It ranks 12th of 18 in Berkeley for schools (3.8/5) and scores lowest on safety (3.7/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in Berkeley are North Berkeley.

What are the downsides of living in Elmwood?

Elmwood, Berkeley scores lowest on safety (3.7/5). Its median home price of $2.31M runs about 32% above the Berkeley median of $1.75M.

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Neighborhood Photos

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Claremont Hills climbs sharply from Tunnel Road up to Grizzly Peak, with winding... See Full Page
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Overall Score : 4.3
South Campus hugs the south edge of UC Berkeley, stretching roughly from Bancrof... See Full Page
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Overall Score : 4.3
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