Berkeley CA vs Hilo HI — 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%
Hilo, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$552,686
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Hilo
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Hilo
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Hilo
N/A
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Hilo
N/A
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Hilo
N/A
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Hilo
N/A
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Hilo
N/A
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Hilo
N/A
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Hilo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Hilo
N/A
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Hilo
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Hilo
$63,296
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Hilo
N/A
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Hilo
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Hilo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,296 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Hilo
$552,686
Hilo +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Hilo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $552,686 | Hilo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Hilo
276
Hilo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Hilo
2592
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 276 | Hilo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2592 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Hilo
25.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Hilo
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Hilo
15.2%
Hilo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Hilo
6.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Hilo
16.7%
Hilo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Hilo
13.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 25.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.2% | Hilo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Hilo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Hilo
73.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Hilo
126.7 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 73.9°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 126.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Hilo
3.3 µg/m³
Hilo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Hilo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Hilo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Hilo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hilo, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hilo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $552,686. On public safety, Hilo is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Hilo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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