Berkeley, CA vs San Jose, 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 Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 51). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $104,716). San Jose leads in cost of living index (198 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 118,962 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →