Berkeley CA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 7.4% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $63,072 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,958 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 30.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 32.6 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA