Berkeley CA vs Everett WA — 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%
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Everett
111,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Everett
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Everett
37.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Everett
21.6%
Everett +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Everett
61.4%
Everett +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Everett
6.5%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Everett
10.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Everett
17.3%
Everett +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Everett
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 111,083 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 21.6% | Everett + |
| White | 54.8% | 61.4% | Everett + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.5% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 17.3% | Everett + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Everett
$81,502
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Everett
$44,115
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Everett
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Everett
5.4%
Everett +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Everett
12.1%
Everett +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Everett
28.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $81,502 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $44,115 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | Everett + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.1% | Everett + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 28.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Everett
$665,406
Everett +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Everett
50.0%
Everett +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $665,406 | Everett + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 50.0% | Everett + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Everett
383
Everett +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Everett
3409
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Everett + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Everett
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Everett
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Everett
17.5%
Everett +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Everett
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Everett
16.5%
Everett +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Everett
11.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 32.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.5% | Everett + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.5% | Everett + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Everett
51.8°F
Everett +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Everett
38.4 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.8°F | Everett + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.4 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Everett
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Everett
28.9 min
Everett +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.9 min | Everett + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while everett offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $665,406. On public safety, Everett is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Everett has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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