Why Buyers Are Considering Union City
If you’ve been searching in Fremont and feeling stretched on budget, you’ve probably started looking at nearby options.
Newark is often the first step (you can read more in our Newark blog here), but Union City is right there with it and for good reason.
Sitting just north of Fremont along the Interstate 880 corridor, Union City offers its own BART station, strong commuter access and a price point that makes homeownership feel more attainable. In 2026, it has quietly become one of the more compelling alternatives in the East Bay for buyers who want value without sacrificing location.
1. A Price Point That Opens Doors
The numbers tell a clear story.
As of April 2026, the average sale price in Fremont is $2,294,000. In Union City, that figure is $1,464,000. That is a difference of roughly $830,000 for cities connected by the same freeway and the same BART line.
For a buyer putting 20% down, that gap means approximately $166,000 less at closing and significantly lower monthly payments while staying in the same East Bay corridor with the same commute access.
Union City sits in a similar price range to Newark, making both worth comparing if you’re prioritizing value in this part of the East Bay.
2. One of the Best Commuter Locations in the East Bay
This is where Union City genuinely stands out.
Union City has its own dedicated BART station, providing direct access to San Francisco and Oakland without the need to drive or deal with gas costs and expensive city parking.
Beyond BART, Union City is also well positioned for:
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Interstate 880 for direct access to Oakland and San Jose
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Dumbarton Bridge, Route 84 for Peninsula and Silicon Valley access
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San Mateo Bridge, Route 92 for an additional Bay crossing option
For buyers who commute in multiple directions or work on the Peninsula, that combination of BART and freeway access is hard to beat at this price point. It’s also one of the first things we help break down when comparing cities, since the right location can make a big difference in your day-to-day.
3. A Range of Home Options
Union City offers a diverse mix of housing:
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Condos and townhomes for buyers entering the market
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Single-family homes in established residential neighborhoods
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Newer developments near the BART station
That variety creates real flexibility depending on what you’re prioritizing, whether that’s price, space, condition or proximity to transit.
4. What to Keep in Mind
Every market has trade-offs and Union City is no different.
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Schools: Union City is served by the New Haven Unified School District. James Logan High School holds a GreatSchools rating of 8/10. That is a meaningful step up from Newark and a solid middle ground compared to Fremont, where three of five high schools are rated 10/10. For buyers where schools matter but the Fremont premium is not realistic, Union City offers a strong option.
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Inventory: Like much of the East Bay, selection can be limited. Being ready to move when the right home comes up is important.
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Condition still matters: Move-in ready homes continue to attract the most interest and sell faster. Homes that need work are sitting longer, which can create opportunities for the right buyer.
In today’s more selective market, pricing and preparation continue to drive results here just as they do across the broader East Bay.
5. Who It’s a Good Fit For
Union City tends to work particularly well for:
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Buyers looking for a realistic East Bay entry point with strong transit access
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Buyers stretched by Fremont pricing who do not want to compromise on commute
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BART-dependent commuters
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Families where school quality matters but top-tier Fremont districts are not required
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Buyers looking for long-term value in a well-connected location
We’re seeing a consistent pattern where buyers start their search in Fremont and ultimately land in Union City once they weigh the full picture. For many, it turns out to be the right move.
A Real Example
We recently helped a family purchase a larger home in Union City while also managing the sale of their current home.
That kind of contingent offer isn’t the norm and requires careful coordination on both sides. We brought their existing Union City home to market quickly, ran a strong open house and generated seven offers within a week with the highest coming in all cash.
That result gave the family the certainty and leverage they needed to move forward with confidence.
It’s a good example of what’s possible in Union City right now when a home is priced well and presented properly. Demand is real and the right strategy makes the difference.
Final Thoughts
So, is Union City a good place to buy in 2026?
For the right buyer, absolutely.
It combines a more approachable price point, about $830,000 below the Fremont average, with one of the East Bay’s best transit setups and a public high school that earns a strong 8/10 rating. That combination is increasingly hard to find at this price point in the Bay Area.
If you’re weighing Union City against Fremont or Newark, we’re happy to walk you through how they compare based on your specific priorities. Every buyer’s situation is different and the right city depends on what matters most to you.
