Berkeley, CA vs Ridgewood, NJ
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
Ridgewood
68
#1362 nationally
Ridgewood leads in crime level (1.2 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 42). Ridgewood leads in median household income ($211,224 vs $104,716).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Ridgewood, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 68 (#1362) |
| Population | 118,962 | 26,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,273,036 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $211,224 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 36.3 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 1.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+3.4 |
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+
68 Score
Ridgewood, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,273,036
Population
26,194
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Northeast
View Ridgewood, NJ →