Berkeley CA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 54.8% | 40.5% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
60.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 60.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
San Francisco
$1,369,171
San Francisco +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,369,171 | San Francisco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 38.5% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.6% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 33.9 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while san Francisco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,369,171. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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