Berkeley, CA vs Olympia, 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
Olympia
64
#1725 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 39). Olympia leads in cost of living index (127 vs 222). Olympia leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 64 (#1725) |
| Population | 118,962 | 55,733 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $536,583 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $73,851 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 20.8 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 15.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 127 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+20.4 |
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 Score
Olympia, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$536,583
Population
55,733
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Olympia, WA →