Pill Hill, Oakland: Complete Homebuyer & Realtor Guide
Medical district meets urban convenience with walkable charm
About Pill Hill, Oakland
Pill Hill, Oakland, California is the Bay Area's premier medical district neighborhood, anchored by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, one of Oakland's largest employers and one of the 10 best hospitals in the Bay Area. Located in ZIP code 94609, this compact urban village sits between Telegraph Avenue and Broadway, offering residents an unbeatable combination of walkability, convenience, and surprisingly affordable housing for the region. The neighborhood gets its distinctive name from the concentration of medical facilities and pharmacies that serve both residents and the thousands of healthcare workers who call this area home.
Pill Hill attracts a diverse mix of young professionals, healthcare workers, and urban families who prioritize location over space. With a median household income of $104,226 and 21.5% of households having children, residents love the neighborhood's practical advantages: a 1-minute walk to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 3-minute access to Sprouts Farmers Market, and seamless transit connections to downtown San Francisco in 15-20 minutes. The community values convenience, walkability, and the unique urban energy that comes from living in Oakland's medical hub.
Pill Hill Real Estate Market 2026
Home prices in Pill Hill are down 13% in the last 12 months, with homes selling after 293 days on the market. The correction has created opportunities for buyers who can act decisively in this medical district location.
Homes in Oakland receive 3 offers on average, but Pill Hill's longer days on market suggests less competition than citywide averages. Expect negotiating power for well-priced properties under $650K.
The median sale price over the last 12 months is $330,000, down 10% from the previous 12 months, reflecting broader Oakland market adjustments after pandemic peaks.
Source: Homes.com, Redfin Q1 2026
Is Pill Hill Right for You?
Pill Hill, Oakland suits different buyers in different ways. Here’s who thrives here — and who should consider alternatives.
1-minute walk to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, surrounded by medical offices and pharmacies, community of fellow healthcare workers, excellent parking for hospital shifts
Limited nightlife options, hospital noise during shift changes
15-20 minute transit to downtown SF, 90/100 Walk Score, excellent coffee shops like Olivia Coffee and Flower, modern condo options with parking
Medical district vibe may feel clinical, limited weekend entertainment
Excellent schools like Oakland Technical High School nearby, Grove Shafter Park and Mosswood Park within 8 minutes, safe walking environment, Sprouts Farmers Market 3 minutes away
Limited larger family homes, competitive school lottery system
Types of Homes in Pill Hill
Pill Hill features 21st-century condos, most built within the last 15 years, typically including one or two bedrooms with private parking in secure garages.
Modern Condos (2008-2020)
Secure parking, modern amenities, low maintenance
HOA fees, limited outdoor space
Victorian/Craftsman Single-Family
Character features, more space, potential rental income
Maintenance costs, parking challenges
How to Sell Pill Hill to Your Clients
Ideal client match: Healthcare professionals, tech commuters, and young professionals who prioritize location, walkability, and transit access over space and traditional neighborhood character.
5 Talking Points
- 1 1-minute walk to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, one of Bay Area's top 10 hospitals
- 2 90/100 Walk Score with Sprouts Farmers Market, coffee shops, and restaurants within 3 blocks
- 3 15-20 minute commute to downtown SF via excellent transit connections
- 4 Modern housing stock with 70% of homes built since 2008, many with secure parking
- 5 Median price $577K vs $735K Oakland-wide—exceptional value for location
Handling Common Objections
Living in Pill Hill, Oakland
- Chipotle
- Lazeez Kitchen
- Taqueria Barajitas Taco Truck
- Gogi Time
25+ restaurants · $-$$
- Pill Hill Deli
- Olivia Coffee and Flower
- Petit café
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Grove Shafter Park
· neighborhood park
7-minute walk with open green space -
Mosswood Park
· regional park
8-minute walk with basketball courts and baseball field -
Lake Merritt
· regional park
15-minute walk to Oakland's crown jewel
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Oakland Halal Meat & Produce Marketplace
- Grocery Outlet
- Volofit
- The Combine
- God's Gym
Annual events: Lake Merritt events · Oakland Art & Soul Festival nearby
Schools Near Pill Hill, Oakland
The school district serving Pill Hill is Oakland Unified School District. Elementary students attend Hoover Elementary School, middle school students attend Westlake Middle School. Oakland Technical High School, which has a high rating, serves the area.
Elementary Schools
16-minute walk from Pill Hill, serves neighborhood families
Proximitii 2026Middle Schools
High-performing middle school 11 minutes from neighborhood
Proximitii 2026High Schools
Highly-rated comprehensive high school serving area
Homes.com 2026Private Schools Nearby
- St Pauls Episcopal School (K-8 Episcopal) — 17-minute walk, serves families seeking religious education
Source: Oakland Unified School District, Proximitii 2026
Commute from Pill Hill
It's an incredibly easy commute to the city, the freeway is only a few short blocks from Pill Hill as well as BART
Frequently Asked Questions: Pill Hill, Oakland
Answers to the most common questions homebuyers and realtors ask about Pill Hill, Oakland, California.
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The median home price in Pill Hill is $577,500 as of 2026 (Homes.com). Most condos range $450K-$750K while single-family homes typically cost $650K-$950K.
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Pill Hill is a good place to live. Pill Hill is considered very walkable and very bikeable with good transit options, making it excellent for healthcare professionals and urban commuters.
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Yes, with excellent schools like Westlake Middle School (9/10 rating) and Oakland Technical High School nearby, plus Grove Shafter Park and Mosswood Park within 8 minutes. However, limited larger family homes and OUSD lottery system require planning.
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Westlake Middle School (9/10 GreatSchools rating) serves grades 6-8, and Oakland Technical High School, which has a high rating, serves high school students. St Pauls Episcopal School offers private K-8 education 17 minutes away.
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Pill Hill has a Walk Score of 90/100 (Walker's Paradise). Pill Hill is considered very walkable and very bikeable with good transit options with most daily needs within 3 blocks.
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Living in Pill Hill means 1-minute walks to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 3-minute access to Sprouts Farmers Market, and excellent coffee shops like Olivia Coffee and Flower. It's urban convenience with a medical district professional community vibe.
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Pill Hill has 21st-century condos, most built within the last 15 years, typically one or two bedrooms with private parking in secure garages. Victorian and Craftsman single-family homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s are less common.
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It's usually safe to walk your dog even late at night, though there are increasing concerns around safety and security. The medical district provides good foot traffic and lighting during most hours.
Neighborhoods Near Pill Hill
Not sure Pill Hill is the right fit? Compare these nearby Oakland neighborhoods.
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Data sources: Redfin, Zillow, California Association of Realtors, US Census ACS 2023, GreatSchools, Walk Score, OpenStreetMap. Content generated 2026. Always verify current market data with a licensed real estate professional.