Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $1.5M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Undervalued
    $93k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    4%

At a glance

Kensington holds an overall Houseberry score of 4.5/5. Its standout factors are public spaces (5.0/5) and safety (5.0/5), at a median home price of $1.5M, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $93,000. The trade-off is nearby merchants (2.3/5).

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Bay Views, Village Convenience, Trailheads Nearby

Kensington is one of the East Bay’s classic hill towns, prized for sweeping Bay and city vistas, quiet winding lanes, and a close, civic‐minded community. The housing stock skews midcentury custom with architect‐driven touches, plus tasteful expansions that capture light and views. Mature trees, terraced gardens, and irregular lots give most homes excellent privacy without losing the neighborhood feel. Daily life orbits two anchors. The village at Colusa Circle hosts the year‐round Sunday farmers’ market, cafés, and neighborhood services, making errands and meetups easy on foot. Up the ridge, the Arlington commercial strip adds markets, eateries, and conveniences. Families value Kensington’s own police and fire districts, the community center and park, and highly regarded neighborhood schools. Outdoor access is exceptional. Trailheads into Tilden and Wildcat Canyon are minutes away for hikes, dog walks, and road cycling, while UC Berkeley’s Blake Garden provides a cultivated counterpoint for strolls and views. Commuters typically drop to El Cerrito Plaza BART or head surface streets to campus, the flats, or I‐80. Trade‐offs are mostly the natural result of hill living and strong demand. Many homes are older and command a premium, so buyers should budget for seismic, drainage, or energy upgrades and expect tighter driveway or guest parking on some blocks. Flat yard space can be limited. For those seeking a calm, village lifestyle with top‐tier parks and views, Kensington more than delivers.

See City Review for: Kensington
Houseberry's TakeLocal InsightsQuestions

Top Neighborhoods in Kensington, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Kensington, Kensington, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Kensington is one of the East Bay’s classic hill towns, prized for sweeping Bay ... See Full Page

Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    2.3

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    5

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    4.5

Overall Amenities score: 4.2

Neighborhood Weather

77%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 77% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Kensington out-suns roughly a sixth of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is July, averaging 77° highs, and it gets about 25 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDJul 77°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Kensington
1st of 1
Across the Bay Area
15th percentile
Rain per year
25 in
Warmest month
Jul 77° avg high
Summer day
54° → 75°F
Winter day
43° → 58°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

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Schools serving this Neighborhood

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Cornell Elementary PrimaryK-5
4.7/5
Marin Elementary PrimaryK-5
4.5/5
Ocean View Elementary PrimaryK-5
3.5/5
Kensington Elementary PrimaryK-6
4.9/5
Fred T. Korematsu Middle Middle7-8
3.2/5

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

Kensington FAQs9 answers

Is Kensington a good place to live?

Kensington holds an overall Houseberry score of 4.5 out of 5. Its strongest factors are public spaces (5.0/5) and safety (5.0/5). The trade-off is nearby merchants (2.3/5).

Is Kensington safe?

Kensington scores 5.0 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score.

What do homes in Kensington cost?

The median home price in Kensington is $1.5M, compared with $1.55M for Kensington as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $93,000 against comparable neighborhoods.

Are home prices in Kensington rising or falling?

The median home price in Kensington is down about 0.9% over the past 12 months, from $1.51M to $1.5M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Kensington?

Schools serving Kensington include Cornell Elementary (4.7/5), Marin Elementary (4.5/5), Ocean View Elementary (3.5/5), Kensington Elementary (4.9/5) and Fred T. Korematsu Middle (3.2/5).

What is the weather like in Kensington?

Kensington receives 77% of its possible sunshine. Summer days run 54° to 75°F and winter days 43° to 58°F, July is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 25 inches a year.

Is Kensington walkable to shops and restaurants?

Kensington scores 2.3 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 5.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 4.2 out of 5.

What is Kensington known for?

Kensington is associated with Bay Views, Village Convenience and Trailheads Nearby. Its highest-scoring factors are public spaces (5.0/5) and safety (5.0/5).

What are the downsides of living in Kensington?

Kensington scores lowest on nearby merchants (2.3/5).

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Top Neighborhoods in Kensington, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Kensington, Kensington, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Kensington is one of the East Bay’s classic hill towns, prized for sweeping Bay ... See Full Page

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Kensington
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All information provided on this website including but not limited to - school ratings, safety, amenities, user opinions, and property data - is for general informational purposes only. We do not guarantee its reliability, accuracy, or completeness. Users should independently verify information and consult appropriate professionals as needed. By using this website, you agree Houseberry is not responsible for actions, decisions, or consequences arising from reliance on the information provided

houseberry.com - CA DRE# 01847391

Bay East ©2025. CCAR ©2025. bridgeMLS ©2025. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. This information is being provided by the Bay East MLS, or CCAR MLS, or bridgeMLS. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. This information is intended for the personal use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated at August 14, 2026 12:00 AM

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