Berkeley CA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 4.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,488 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $37,359 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 20.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 56.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 30.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| 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 +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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