Berkeley CA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Richmond
13.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 115,396 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 54.8% | 21.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 13.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $90,038 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $41,898 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 32.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.9% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 58.5°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 37.7 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond 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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