Berkeley CA vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Denver
13.9%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.9% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Denver
$91,681
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Denver
$61,202
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Denver
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $91,681 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $61,202 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 55.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 25.9% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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