Berkeley CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 7.4% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 8.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $83,857 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $44,756 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 33.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.7% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.9% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 39.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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%.
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