Located in the state of California, Berkeley is a mid-sized city with a population of 118,585 residents. Berkeley has a population density of 11,322 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Berkeley could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 31 years old is below the nation’s average. Berkeley has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 76% of the population is classified as married and 62% have kids.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Berkeley could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Berkeley and in the areas around Berkeley is a much easier task.
The livability score in Berkeley is 78 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 93rd percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Berkeley would be considered a very livable city! Berkeley also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Berkeley ranks well for education (A+) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Berkeley. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F).
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Berkeley has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: University of California, Berkeley, Fourth Street, and Fourth Street.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Berkeley. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Berkeley are affordable. The median home price for Berkeley homes is $795,200, which is 94.3% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Berkeley, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 11.3, which is 76.6% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Berkeley | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 31min | 30min | 27min |
| Workers who drive to work | 30.9% | 72.1% | 74.9% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.0% | 10.0% | 8.9% |
| Workers who take public transit | 23.2% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
| Workers who bicycle | 6.6% | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Workers who walk | 15.7% | 2.5% | 2.6% |
| Working from home | 16.7% | 8.4% | 7.3% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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