Berkeley, CA vs El Cajon, CA
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
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $64,128). El Cajon leads in cost of living index (150 vs 222). El Cajon leads in crime level (11.9 vs 17.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Cajon, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 62.5 (#1848) |
| Population | 118,962 | 102,991 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $812,181 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $64,128 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 11.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 150 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, CA →