Berkeley CA vs Durham 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Durham
15.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.8 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 44.0% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Durham
$79,234
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Durham
$47,246
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Durham
55.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $79,234 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $47,246 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 55.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $399,509 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Durham
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Durham
11.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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