Berkeley CA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 54.8% | 51.3% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $79,935 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $57,845 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 39.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 30.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 75.5°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 66.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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