Berkeley, CA vs San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
62.9
#1817 nationally
San Francisco leads in median household income ($136,689 vs $104,716). San Francisco leads in cost of living index (195 vs 222). Berkeley leads in average commute (30.4 min vs 33.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 62.9 (#1817) |
| Population | 118,962 | 808,437 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,416,278 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $136,689 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 89 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 195 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+64.8 |
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-
62.9 Score
San Francisco, CA
Innovation capital on the bay
Median Home
$1,416,278
Population
808,437
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
B-
Pacific
View San Francisco, CA →
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