Berkeley, CA vs Des Moines, WA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Des Moines leads in crime level (8.1 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 41). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 64.6 (#1684) |
| Population | 118,962 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 8.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+51.7 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →