Berkeley CA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 17.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 36.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $53,771 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $34,482 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 25.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 37.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 28.4% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.9% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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