Berkeley CA vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 54.8% | 38.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.0% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Irvine
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Irvine
70.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $62,149 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 70.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Berkeley +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,566,872 | Berkeley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Irvine
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Irvine
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Irvine
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 65.3°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while berkeley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,451,222. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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