Berkeley, CA vs Kirkland, WA
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
Kirkland
68
#1358 nationally
Kirkland leads in crime level (1.7 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 51). Kirkland leads in median household income ($135,608 vs $104,716).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Kirkland, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 68 (#1358) |
| Population | 118,962 | 91,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,212,741 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $135,608 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.5 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 1.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 179 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+51.7 |
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
Kirkland, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,212,741
Population
91,194
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Kirkland, WA →