Berkeley CA vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 54.8% | 34.2% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Miami
$42,528
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $59,390 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,528 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.2% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 35.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $580,996 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 30.7% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 29.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 27.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 75.8°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 64.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 29.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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