Berkeley CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 40.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $51,339 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $27,054 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 25.3% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 19.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.6% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 21.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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