Anaheim CA vs Berkeley CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

Berkeley, CA

California · Population: 120,223

  • Median HH Income$108,558
  • Median Home Price$1,451,222
  • Unemployment6.0%
  • Bachelor's+75.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
21.3%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Berkeley
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Berkeley
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Anaheim +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
43.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Berkeley
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Berkeley
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Berkeley
26.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Berkeley
32.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while anaheim offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $952,227. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Berkeley