Arcata, CA vs Berkeley, 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.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $43,444). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 48). Arcata leads in cost of living index (133 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 59.6 (#1947) |
| Population | 19,012 | 118,962 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $1,460,437 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $104,716 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 30.4 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 85 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | 17.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 222 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+53.6 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
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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 →