Berkeley CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 54.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 7.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $67,544 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,825 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 34.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 42.4% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.9% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 48.1 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Worcester 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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