Berkeley CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 7.4% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $80,269 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $50,605 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 54.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.6% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 30.6 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
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