Altadena, CA vs Berkeley, CA

Altadena is moderately more affordable than Berkeley, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Altadena scores 196 compared to 216 for Berkeley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Berkeley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Altadena is $2,250/month compared to $2,127/month in Berkeley — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Berkeley has cheaper rent, Altadena actually has lower median home values ($1,073,500 vs $1,351,100).

Median household income in Altadena is $129,123 compared to $108,558 in Berkeley (+18.9%). Altadena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Altadena spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Berkeley.