Berkeley CA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 20.9% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 49.2% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $70,723 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $38,421 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 27.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 32.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.5% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 17.0% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 15.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 67.4°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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