Berkeley, CA vs Santa Monica, 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
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Berkeley leads in cost of living index (222 vs 273). Berkeley leads in crime level (17.5 vs 21.3). Santa Monica leads in average commute (25.3 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 118,962 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+32.9 |
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 →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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