Berkeley CA vs Concord NC — 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%
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Concord
12.5%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Concord
54.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Concord
6.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 106,518 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.5% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 54.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 22.1% | Concord + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Concord
$84,752
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Concord
$40,763
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Concord
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $84,752 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $40,763 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 41.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $384,688 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Concord
398
Concord +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Concord
1999
Concord +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Concord
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Concord
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Concord
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Concord
12.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Concord
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Concord
45.9 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.4°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.9 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Concord
29.7 min
Concord +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 29.7 min | Concord + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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