Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 120,223 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 27.4% | 54.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 60.0% | 7.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $1,451,222 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 43.3% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 58.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.2 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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