Garfield, Albany, CA
At a glance
Garfield is ranked #12 of 12 neighborhoods in Albany with an overall score of 3.4/5. Its standout factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5, 12th of 12 in Albany), at a median home price of $1.39M, which Houseberry currently rates as overvalued by about $315,000. The trade-offs are safety (2.1/5) and curb appeal (2.5/5).
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Garfield is an easy-living, entry-level slice of Albany tucked between San Pablo Avenue’s retail row and the Key Route bike boulevard. Most homes are 1920s to early-1950s bungalows or cottages on compact, 2,500-to-3,000-sq-ft lots, giving the area a modest scale and a neighbor-meets-neighbor feel. A quick stroll north or west lands you at Trader Joe’s, Petco, Peet’s Coffee, and the weekly El Cerrito Plaza farmers market; head east and you’re at Memorial Park’s ballfields, dog run, and summer concerts in under ten minutes. Families appreciate the walk-to convenience of Cornell Elementary two blocks away and Albany Middle School just across Brighton Avenue. Cyclists slide onto the Ohlone Greenway a block west for a car-free ride to North Berkeley or El Cerrito Plaza BART. Despite these perks, San Pablo traffic noise and evening parking competition are everyday realities, and some blocks carry an industrial edge from nearby auto shops and donation centers. Buyers looking for a budget-friendlier door into Albany, with quick access to groceries, transit, and parks-and who can accept smaller yards and street bustle-will find Garfield a practical landing spot.
Top Neighborhoods in Albany, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants5.0
Public Spaces3.5
Curb Appeal2.5
Overall Amenities score: 3.4
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Marin Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Ocean View Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Beach Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Havens Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Albany Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Albany High | High | 9-12 |
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
Garfield FAQs10 answers
Is Garfield a good place to live?
Garfield ranks 12th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany with an overall Houseberry score of 3.4 out of 5. Its strongest factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5). The trade-offs are safety (2.1/5) and curb appeal (2.5/5).
Is Garfield safe?
Garfield, Albany scores 2.1 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 12th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany.
What do homes in Garfield cost?
The median home price in Garfield, Albany is $1.39M, compared with $1.37M for Albany as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it overvalued by about $315,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Garfield rising or falling?
The median home price in Garfield, Albany is down about 8.3% over the past 12 months, from $1.51M to $1.39M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Garfield?
Schools serving Garfield, Albany include Cornell Elementary (4.7/5), Marin Elementary (4.5/5), Ocean View Elementary (3.5/5), Beach Elementary (5.0/5) and Havens Elementary (4.7/5). 2 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in Garfield?
Garfield, Albany receives 77% of its possible sunshine, 9th of 12 in Albany. Summer days run 56° to 72°F and winter days 45° to 60°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 23 inches a year.
Is Garfield walkable to shops and restaurants?
Garfield, Albany scores 5.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.4 out of 5, 12th of 12 in Albany.
What is Garfield known for?
Garfield, Albany is associated with Retail Access, Transit Friendly and Starter Homes. Its highest-scoring factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5).
How does Garfield compare to other Albany neighborhoods?
Garfield ranks 12th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany. It ranks 12th of 12 in Albany for schools (4.7/5) and scores lowest on safety (2.1/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Albany are Solano Hill and Albany Terrace.
What are the downsides of living in Garfield?
Garfield, Albany scores lowest on safety (2.1/5) and curb appeal (2.5/5).
Neighborhood Photos
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