Berkeley CA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 115,546 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.5 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.2% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $96,145 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $51,982 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 44.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 27.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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