Berkeley CA vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.4% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $90,038 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $58,583 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 57.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $593,739 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 22.9% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 65.9°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 51.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Charleston 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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