Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Berkeley, CA
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 23 categories
Berkeley
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$104,716
Violent Crime Index
168⚠ High
Population
121,385 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Berkeley, CA
Pros
Rent averages $286/mo less ($2,067 vs $2,353)
More college-educated — 73.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 45°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 87°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,280,300
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $43,511/yr
Violent crime (638.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Homes cost $643k less ($637,400 vs $1,280,300)
78% less violent crime than Berkeley
Households earn $43,511 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Berkeley
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Highlands Ranch
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$43,511
$148,227 vs $104,716/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
78% lower
138.1 vs 638.8 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Median Home Value
$643k less
$637,400 vs $1,280,300
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.4% vs 5.5% unemployment
Highlands Ranch
Summer Heat
13.1°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 74.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,280,300⚠ High | $637,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,067⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.4 min⚠ High | 25.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 26.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.1:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 73.8% ✓ Higher | 65.7% |
| High School or Higher | 96.1% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Berkeley Unified | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 44.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.2°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 26.1" | 18.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,385 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Berkeley's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Highlands Ranch is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 23 categories. Berkeley wins 7 and Highlands Ranch wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Berkeley to Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,280,300 vs $637,400 median home), income ($104,716 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Berkeley, CA and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 940 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.