Berkeley CA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 106,274 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Boulder
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $85,364 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $59,450 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 21.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Boulder
$970,905
Boulder +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $970,905 | Boulder + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Boulder
9.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while boulder offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $970,905. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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