Berkeley CA vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Boston
10.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 54.8% | 47.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Boston
$94,755
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Boston
$60,001
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Boston
54.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $94,755 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $60,001 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.9% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 54.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Boston
$793,154
Boston +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $793,154 | Boston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 35.4% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Boston
23.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Boston
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 23.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 43.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 33.1 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while boston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $793,154. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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