Berkeley CA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 54.8% | 50.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.7% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 17.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $104,321 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $54,678 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 49.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Diego +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,006,261 | San Diego + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 24.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 61.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while san Diego offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,006,261. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego 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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