Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Berkeley, Illinois is a small city with a population of 5,266 inhabitants. Berkeley has a population density of 3,760 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Berkeley is mostly populated by White (41%) and Black or African American (26%) ethnic groups. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Berkeley are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 34% of the population also speak Spanish. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Berkeley is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 27 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
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 Illinois if you know where to look. 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. Finding the best places to live in Berkeley and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, employment and other important metrics.
Using data and statistics Berkeley has received a livability score of 75 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 87th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the United States average, Berkeley ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Berkeley ranks well for crime (B), employment (B+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Berkeley ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D) and education (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 80 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Berkeley apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Berkeley real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Berkeley. The median home price for Berkeley homes is $313,830, which is 1.7% higher than the Illinois 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 3, which is 14.3% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Berkeley | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.1% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.6% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.6% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.5% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.8% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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