Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 120,223 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 39.9% | 54.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $1,451,222 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 43.3% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 32.2 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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