Berkeley CA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 105,460 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $70,722 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,235 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 24.8% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 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