Berkeley CA vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 49.9% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.7% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $55,653 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $38,087 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.3% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 46.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.2% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 66.7°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 +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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