Berkeley, CA vs San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo
62.9
#1818 nationally
San Luis Obispo leads in average commute (15.4 min vs 30.4 min). Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $65,000). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 56).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Luis Obispo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 62.9 (#1818) |
| Population | 118,962 | 49,244 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,097,597 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $65,000 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 15.4 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 56 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 11.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 174 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+10.9 |
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 →
D-
62.9 Score
San Luis Obispo, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,097,597
Population
49,244
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
56
Pacific
View San Luis Obispo, CA →
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