Berkeley CA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 7.4% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $45,611 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $30,282 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 28.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 51.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 38.5% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 31.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 68.9°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville 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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