Berkeley CA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.8% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 7.4% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,731 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $38,890 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 33.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 43.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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