Berkeley CA vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Columbus
33.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.4% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 53.3% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $65,327 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $37,189 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,300 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 38.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Columbus
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 15.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 40.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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