Berkeley CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 53.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $82,424 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $49,948 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 52.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 30.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 61.1°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 46.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA