Berkeley, CA vs San Francisco, CA

Berkeley, CA and San Francisco, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Berkeley scores 216 while San Francisco scores 228 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month compared to $2,419/month in San Francisco — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Berkeley is more affordable at $1,351,100 median vs $1,380,500.

Median household income in Berkeley is $108,558 compared to $141,446 in San Francisco (-23.3%). While San Francisco is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkeley spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.5% in San Francisco.