Berkeley CA vs Plymouth 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 79,526 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 40.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.0% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 10.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 4.7% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
64.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 64.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
24.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Plymouth
8.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 24.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 8.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, 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
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, 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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