Berkeley, CA vs Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
58
#1956 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 24). Palmdale leads in cost of living index (130 vs 222). Berkeley leads in average commute (30.4 min vs 41.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palmdale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 58 (#1956) |
| Population | 118,962 | 161,404 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $503,499 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $78,414 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 41.3 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 24 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 15.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 130 |
| 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
58 Score
Palmdale, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$503,499
Population
161,404
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Pacific
View Palmdale, CA →