Berkeley CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Orem
10.5%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 86,973 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.9% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $70,053 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,579 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 25.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Orem
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 30.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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