Berkeley, CA vs San Mateo, 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 Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in crime level (6.7 vs 17.5). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $104,716). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 68).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 118,962 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+50.3 |
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
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →