Berkeley CA vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
High Point
14.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
High Point
8.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 115,263 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.8 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 46.1% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $61,228 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $34,492 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 33.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 46.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, 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
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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