Berkeley, CA vs San Diego, 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 Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 52). San Diego leads in cost of living index (165 vs 222). San Diego leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 65.3 (#1643) |
| Population | 118,962 | 1,388,320 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $994,682 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $89,457 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+16.8 |
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
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, CA →
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