Berkeley CA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 3.8% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.3% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.6% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $45,984 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $30,864 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.4% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 30.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 42.9% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.0% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.6 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Berkeley 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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