Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 120,223 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 82.8% | 54.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 12.1% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Berkeley
$108,558
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $108,558 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 16.8% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $1,451,222 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 43.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Berkeley
26.7 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 26.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 32.2 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA