Berkeley CA vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 117,075 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 46.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 17.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 7.4% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,440 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,934 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 73.8°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 54.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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