Berkeley CA vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 267 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 7.4% | 0.0% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 0.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $74,643 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $21,360 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 1.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.6% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
34.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 67.4°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 34.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. 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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