Berkeley CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 71,124 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 32.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.8% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $55,269 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $38,786 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.2% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 33.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.0% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.4% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 49.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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