Berkeley CA vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 58,754 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 2.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 7.4% | 0.6% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 0.5% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 8.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $69,171 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $41,460 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 30.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA