Berkeley CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Portland
12.4%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 8.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $88,792 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $55,312 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 53.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 78.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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