Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 120,223 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 59.9% | 54.8% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 7.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 12.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $1,451,222 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 43.3% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 58.1°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 32.2 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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%.
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