Berkeley CA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 50.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $55,931 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,704 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.2% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 51.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 39.5% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 67.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 58.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tallahassee 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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