Berkeley CA vs Quincy MA — 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%
Quincy, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 101,361
- Median HH Income$95,711
- Median Home Price$679,883
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+48.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Quincy
101,361
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Quincy
39.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Quincy
32.7%
Quincy +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Quincy
55.6%
Quincy +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Quincy
6.5%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Quincy
29.2%
Quincy +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Quincy
5.8%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 101,361 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 32.7% | Quincy + |
| White | 54.8% | 55.6% | Quincy + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.5% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 29.2% | Quincy + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Quincy
$95,711
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Quincy
$53,273
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Quincy
$85,405
Quincy +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Quincy
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Quincy
11.4%
Quincy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Quincy
48.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $95,711 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $53,273 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Quincy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.4% | Quincy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 48.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Quincy
$679,883
Quincy +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Quincy
45.0%
Quincy +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $679,883 | Quincy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 45.0% | Quincy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Quincy
326
Quincy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Quincy
1086
Quincy +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Quincy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Quincy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Quincy
22.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Quincy
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Quincy
15.5%
Quincy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Quincy
4.9%
Quincy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Quincy
15.6%
Quincy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Quincy
11.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 22.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.5% | Quincy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 4.9% | Quincy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Quincy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Quincy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | 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
Quincy
7.2 µg/m³
Quincy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Quincy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Quincy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Quincy
37.6 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 37.6 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while quincy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,883. On public safety, Quincy is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Quincy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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