Berkeley CA vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Kent
14.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 84,389 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.8 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.3% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $72,867 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,662 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 27.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 25.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 39.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 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