Berkeley CA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Cary
20.4%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.8 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 54.8% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 20.4% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Cary
$64,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cary
70.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $64,590 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 70.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $629,864 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 25.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 59.4°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 46.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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