Berkeley, CA vs Somerville, MA
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
Somerville
67
#1480 nationally
Somerville leads in crime level (6.1 vs 17.5). Somerville leads in cost of living index (185 vs 222). Somerville leads in median household income ($120,778 vs $104,716).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Somerville, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 67 (#1480) |
| Population | 118,962 | 80,407 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $940,436 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $120,778 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 89 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 185 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+39.5 |
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+
67 Score
Somerville, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$940,436
Population
80,407
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
89
Northeast
View Somerville, MA →