Berkeley CA vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 54.8% | 36.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Irving
$79,641
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Irving
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Irving
41.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $79,641 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $39,462 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 41.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $344,888 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 38.3% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Irving
2339
Irving +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Irving
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Irving
11.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 31.6% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 20.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA