Berkeley CA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 7.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 4.2% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,137 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $43,590 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.5% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 47.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 39.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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