Berkeley CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Reno
16.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 16.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 7.4% | 3.2% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 7.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $78,448 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $45,180 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 35.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.5% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.9% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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