Berkeley CA vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Cambridge
19.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 117,794 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 54.8% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 7.4% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 19.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 8.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Cambridge +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,041,988 | Cambridge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 33.7% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while cambridge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,041,988. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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