Cost of Living in Berkeley, California
Berkeley has a population of about 120,257. The median household income is $108,092, median gross rent is $2,133/month, and the median home value is $1,413,900. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Berkeley expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Berkeley is 29% above the national median and home values are 278% above the national median. Household income here is 29% above the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 24% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Berkeley?
The median gross rent in Berkeley, California is $2,133 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Berkeley?
The median owner-occupied home value in Berkeley is $1,413,900 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Berkeley?
The median household income in Berkeley is $108,092 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.