Livability Score

78
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (128) A+
Catahoula Kaffeegarten
Coffee Shop
Project Juice
Coffee Shop
Cafe Reveille
Coffee Shop
Oceanview Diner
Coffee Shop
Waterside Cafe
Coffee Shop
Peet's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Tomate
Coffee Shop
CoRo Coffee
Coffee Shop
Artís Coffee
Coffee Shop
Rainbow Donuts
Coffee Shop
Highwire Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Coffee x bread
Coffee Shop
Quince Cafe & Grill
Coffee Shop
Workbistro
Coffee Shop
Café Leila
Coffee Shop
Belmo cafe
Coffee Shop
Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar
Coffee Shop
Caffe Chiave
Coffee Shop
Far leaves
Coffee Shop
Fellini Coffee Bar
Coffee Shop
Philz Coffee
Coffee Shop
BroomBush Cafe
Coffee Shop
Happy Donuts
Coffee Shop
Blue Willow Teaspot
Coffee Shop
Mo Joe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (60) A+
AmphitheaterlabLAB
Theatre Arts
Stream in the meadow photography
Art Gallery
Shotgun Studios
Theatre Arts
Shoh
Art Gallery
924 Gilman
Nightclub
Ashkenaz Music & Dance
Theatre Arts
Shorebird Nature Center
Museum
California Historical Radio Society Bay Area Radio Museum
Museum
2727 California Street
Theatre Arts
Berkeley City Ballet
Theatre Arts
Grease Diner
Art Gallery
Florence Schwimley Little Theater
Theatre Arts
Jacket Stadium
Stadium
Berkeley Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Berkeley Historical Society
Museum
Berkeley Community Theater
Theatre Arts
The Backroom
Theatre Arts
Flowspace
Attraction
Albany Twin Theatre
Cinema
The Roda Theatre
Theatre Arts
The UC Theatre
Theatre Arts
Freight & Salvage
Theatre Arts
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Theatre Arts
Habitot Children's Museum
Museum
Peet's Theatre
Theatre Arts
Food and Drink (131) A+
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Room
Bar
Burger King
Fast Food
Noble Cow Creamery
Sweets
Pollara Pizzeria
Fast Food
St Helena Liquors
Alcohol
Acme Bar
Bar
Subway
Fast Food
Little Caesars
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Bing's Liquors
Alcohol
Popeyes
Fast Food
Lo-Cost Liquors
Alcohol
Foster's Freeze
Fast Food
Missouri Lounge
Bar
Ledger's Liquor
Alcohol
Gilman Brewing Company
Bar
Chipotle
Fast Food
Nordic House
Deli
Taqueria food truck
Fast Food
Pic n pac
Alcohol
Tacos El Rulas
Fast Food
Fieldwork Brewing Co.
Bar
McDonald's
Fast Food
Spun Sugar
Sweets
Brazil Cafe food truck
Fast Food
Fitness (32) A+
Sōl
Gym
SoulCycle
Gym
The lab fitness
Gym
James Kenney Recreation Center
Community Centre
Casa de Cultura
Community Centre
Body ROK
Gym
Golden lion
Gym
City Sport Club
Gym
Crossfit Oakland
Gym
Era M. Casey Center
Community Centre
Center for Creative Growth
Community Centre
YMCA PG&E Teen Center
Community Centre
Albany Community Center
Community Centre
Cyclebar
Gym
Strong Island Fitness
Gym
The Green Yogi
Gym
East Bay Media Center
Community Centre
Heal pilates
Gym
A Place for Sustainable Living
Community Centre
Pure Barre
Gym
Yoga to the People Hot
Gym
South Berkeley Senior Citizens Center
Community Centre
Firefly yoga
Gym
Grass roots crossfit
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Groceries (50) A+
Market Hall Foods
Grocery Store
Milan Indian Grocery
Grocery Store
Pickle Shop
Grocery Store
Mi Tierra
Grocery Store
Acme Bread Company
Bakery
Lhasa Karnak
Health Food
The Phoenix Pastificio
Bakery
Anthony's Cookies
Bakery
La noisette
Bakery
Morell's bread
Bakery
Third Culture Bakery
Bakery
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
Vital Vittles
Bakery
Tokyo Fish Market
Seafood
Berkeley Bowl West
Grocery Store
The bread project
Bakery
Berkeley Bagels
Bakery
Pâtisserie Rotha
Bakery
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Monterey Market
Grocery Store
Magnanis
Butcher
Monterey Fish Market
Seafood
Hopkins Bakery
Bakery
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Ono Bakehouse
Bakery
Parks (160) A+
James Kenney Park
Park
George Florence Park
Park
Brickyard Cove
Park
Aquatic park
Playground
Berkeley Meadow
Park
North Basin Strip
Park
Schoolhouse Creek Commons
Park
Aquatic Park
Park
Strawberry Creek Park
Park
Berkeley Way Mini-Park
Park
West Street Pathway
Park
West Street Pathway
Park
West Street Pathway
Park
Charlie Dorr Mini Park
Park
Marina Mall
Park
West Street Pathway
Park
Berkeley Beach
Park
Adventure Playground
Playground
Cedar-Rose Park
Park
Shorebird Park
Park
Game on
Playground
Horseshoe Park
Park
Short Street Park
Park
Harrison Park
Park
Presentation Park
Park
Shops (398) A+
Ketėr
Beauty
Rims & goggles
Optician
Evolution Home Furnishings
Furniture
Vans
Shoes
Le labo
Beauty
Saje
Beauty
Warby Parker
Optician
Zen Day Spa
Beauty
Marlowe
Beauty
Marine Layer
Clothing
Women made
Clothing
Stella carakasi
Clothing
Madewell
Clothing
Anthropologie
Clothing
Lululemon
Clothing
Elements Food Shop
Convenience Store
Berkeley Indoor Garden
Home Improvement
Circle K
Convenience Store
Aésop
Beauty
Benefit San Francisco
Beauty
Aveda
Beauty
Ruti
Clothing
Erica Tanov
Clothing
Aiken
Clothing
Rabat
Shoes
See more Berkeley amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 23.2% take public transportation in Berkeley.
Public Transit Stops (594)
Stops & Stations
A+
University Avenue & 4th Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & 4th Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & 3rd Street
Bus Stop
Berkeley
Transit Station
University Avenue & 6th Street
Bus Stop
6th Street & University Avenue
Bus Stop
University Avenue & 6th Street
Bus Stop
6th Street & Allston Way
Bus Stop
6th Street & Hearst Avenue
Bus Stop
6th Street & Delaware Street
Bus Stop
6th Street & Delaware Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & 9th Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & 9th Street
Bus Stop
6th Street & Virginia Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & West Frontage Road
Bus Stop
6th Street & Virginia Street
Bus Stop
University Avenue & West Frontage Road
Bus Stop
University Avenue & San Pablo Avenue
Bus Stop
San Pablo Avenue & University Avenue
Bus Stop
6th Street & Channing Way
Bus Stop
6th Street & Channing Way
Bus Stop
San Pablo Avenue & University Avenue
Bus Stop
San Pablo Avenue & Allston Way
Bus Stop
University Avenue & San Pablo Avenue
Bus Stop
University Avenue & San Pablo Avenue
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
23.2%
A+
See more Berkeley commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Berkeley is 221/100 - which is 59% higher than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
F
See more Berkeley cost of living data

crime F

Berkeley crime rates are 6,224 per 100k, which is 119% higher than California
Property Crime
5,644 crimes per 100k
F
Violent Crime
581 crimes per 100k
F
See more Berkeley crime data

employment A+

The median income in Berkeley is $91,259 - which is 43% higher than California.
Med. Household Income
$91,259
A+
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
B-
See more Berkeley employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (50)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
LifeLong West Berkeley
Doctor
Berkeley Public Health Clinic
Clinic
Caliri Susan DDS
Dentist
Berkeley Fire Dept Station No 1
Fire Station
Fire Station Number 6
Fire Station
Chaparral House
Nursing Home
Kaiser Permanente Berkeley Medical Offices
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Concentra Urgent care
Clinic
Kiwi pediatric
Doctor
Westbrae Dental Lab
Dentist
Carbon Health
Doctor
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Berkeley Outpatient Center
Clinic
Albany Fire Station
Fire Station
Medical center of marine
Doctor
Albany Police Department
Police
Berkeley Police Department
Police
Wolfgang Boeck, DDS
Dentist
Sutter Urgent Care - Berkeley
Doctor
Sutter Urgent Care - Berkeley
Hospital
Naomi Hiroshige
Dentist
P. Young
Dentist
Emeryville Fire Station Number 2
Fire Station
Scott Levine DDS
Dentist
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A-
See more Berkeley health & safety data

housing C+

Berkeley home prices are $1,059,500 - which is 159% higher than California
Home Price
$1,059,500
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
25%
A+
Home Affordability
11.6x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Berkeley housing data

schools A+

The Berkeley graduation rate is 95% - which is 19% higher than California
School Test Scores
60%
C-
High School Grad. Rates
95%
A+
Elementary Schools (28) A+
Black Pine Circle School
Realm Charter Middle
Realm Charter
Rosa Parks Environmental Science Magnet
Nia House Learning Center
Cragmont Elementary
The Berkeley School
Ecole Bilingue De Berkeley
Jefferson Elementary
The Crowden School
Longfellow Arts And Technology Middle
Berkwood Hedge School
Ocean View Elementary
Walden Center & School
Berkeley Special Education Preschool
Washington Elementary
Martin Luther King Middle
Cornell Elementary
Bright Star Montessori School
Marin Elementary
Yu Ming Charter
Yu Ming Charter
Tilden Preparatory School
Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy
Berkeley Arts Magnet At Whittier
High Schools (6) C-
Realm Charter High
St Mary'S College High School
Macgregor High (Continuation)
Berkeley High
Berkeley Technology Academy
Bayhill High School
Tilden Preparatory School
Maybeck High School
Albany High
Pacific Rim Int'L School
Emery Secondary
El Cerrito High
Mentoring Academy
Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy
Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy
Oakland International High
Oakland Technical High
The College Preparatory School
Mcclymonds High
Home And Hospital Program
Bentley School
Ralph J. Bunche High
Street Academy (Alternative)
See more Berkeley education data

ratings C+

Berkeley has an overall rating of 66% from 19 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes
C+
User Surveys (17)
From AreaVibes
C+
See more Berkeley user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Berkeley, CA
( 19 Ratings )

Living in Berkeley, CA

Berkeley Area Facts

  • Berkeley has a Livability Score of 78/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Berkeley crime rates are 119% higher than the California average
  • Cost of living in Berkeley is 59% higher than the California average
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Berkeley Reviews

Write a review about Berkeley Tell people what you like or don't like about Berkeley…
Berkeley California don't go. 2 rating By Never again ( May 09, 2018) I went to Berkeley between 2015 & 2016 for some medical help. Berkeley was fun just not the two people i made friends with. I mafe friends eith a few others and they are very cool sincere people. These teo bad apples tried get me killed. Seriously i have some serious medical comp ...Read More lications. Lung disease the worst kind.i will share my whole story with a write up i first need to find a public forum to write it about. Just be very careful of the people you decide to make friends with. Read Less
Berkeley, CA - My Famous Home Town 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 11, 2010) Whenever I travel and people ask me where I am from, I don't just answer "America" or even "California". I tell them proudly, "Berkeley." And whether I'm in Africa or Auckland or Patagonia or China, almost everyone immediately knows what city I'm talking about. Not bad for a smal ...Read More l town!

So. What makes Berkeley so special that its name is recognized all over the world? It has a famous university. It's right across the bay from glorious San Francisco. It's home to the 1960s Free Speech Movement. Its Gourmet Ghetto houses Chez Panisse. Jack Kerouac, Whoopi Goldberg and Jimi Hendrix lived here. And I live here too. What more could you ask for?

"But would I also like to live in the city of Berkeley?" you might ask. I think you would. Perhaps you would like the hiking trails in Tilden Park or the famous Lawrence Hall of Science. Perhaps you might like the marina and fishing pier that juts out into the bay. Perhaps you could wander around the Cal campus or.... There are a lot of things you could do and see here. And perhaps you might also want to move to Berkeley -- so that almost everyone in the world will know where you live too! Read Less
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Compare Berkeley, CA Livability

      vs

      Berkeley, CA

      Maybe it is the proximity to San Francisco, or maybe it is the sense of social liberalism, but there is a reason why over 100,000 people choose to live in Berkeley, California. This small city is located on the Eastern part of the San Francisco Bay, and it does not come cheap. The average costs of living, as well as rental and home costs, are roughly twice more than the national average; however, the city offers no shortage of charm and breathtaking views. If you can afford it, consider moving to this unique area.

      Berkeley is made up of only about 10 miles of land, and 7 miles of water, most of which is in the San Francisco Bay. It borders Oakland, Emeryville, Contra Costa County and Albany. Much of the city is elevated and comprised of peaks, the highest being Grizzly Peak. If you like mild weather, you will love it there. The climate is Mediterranean, and summers are dry, while winters are wet. Mornings and evenings with a slight chill and plenty of fog are commonplace, so bring layers.

      Thanks to the progressive values held by many who live in Berkeley, public transportation is bustling. Numerous bus companies, including Golden Gate Transit, take riders where they need to go. It is also well served by ferry boats, as well as Amtrak and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which has three stations in Berkeley. BART also offers airport transportation, so you can get by living here without a car. Not only is it convenient, but it is affordable, too. It only costs about $1 per ride with a Clipper Card.

      The city of Berkeley offers tons of options for shopping, eating, sightseeing and entertainment. Telegraph Ave, once a hippie enclave, is the go-to place to shop or grab a quick bite. If you want to see San Francisco, head to the Berkeley Marina and Pier to spot the Golden Gate Bridge. After you get hungry from all that walking, swing by a coffee shop in the Gourmet Ghetto, or dress up for a fancy meal. The many off-beat attractions give Berkeley its character. Catch a film at the United Artists Cinema, get educated at the Lawrence Hall of Science or catch a show at the Hearst Greek Theater. Or, chill out on the UC campus.

      Berkeley gives you the chance to experience the beauty of northern California combined with all the cultural riches of the city. Live in a small, community-oriented place with easy access to one of the largest, most busting cities in the country. You get the best of both worlds when you live there. Come experience the beauty of the Bay Area — you will love it.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Berkeley? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      James Kenney Park
      George Florence Park
      Brickyard Cove
      Aquatic park
      Berkeley Meadow
      North Basin Strip
      Schoolhouse Creek Commons
      Aquatic Park

      Entertainment

      AmphitheaterlabLAB
      Stream in the meadow photography
      Shotgun Studios
      Shoh
      924 Gilman
      Ashkenaz Music & Dance
      Shorebird Nature Center
      California Historical Radio Society Bay Area Radio Museum

      Food & Drink

      Sierra Nevada Torpedo Room
      Burger King
      Noble Cow Creamery
      Pollara Pizzeria
      St Helena Liquors
      Acme Bar
      Subway
      Little Caesars

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Berkeley? Of all people who commute, 23.2% take public transportation in Berkeley.
      Drive to Work
      31%

      45% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      23%

      18% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      16%

      13% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Berkeley a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Sutter Urgent Care - Berkeley
      Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      Walgreens
      Walgreens
      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      LifeLong West Berkeley
      Berkeley Family Practice Medical Group
      Sutter Health East Bay Medical Foundation - Care Center
      Berkeley pediatric medical group
      Kiwi pediatric
      Sutter Urgent Care - Berkeley