Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Berkeley, CA
VS
Vallejo, CA
🏆 Vallejo leads 12 of 22 categories
Berkeley
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$104,716 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
168⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
121,385
Vallejo
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,112
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
125,132 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Berkeley, CA
Pros
More college-educated — 73.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
14% less violent crime than Vallejo
Households earn $18,604 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.5%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,280,300
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)
Property crime (5229.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Vallejo, CA
Pros
Homes cost $765k less ($515,500 vs $1,280,300)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Berkeley
Rent averages $173/mo less ($1,894 vs $2,067)
Cons
Violent crime (739.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Berkeley by $18,604/yr
Property crime (3990.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Berkeley
Median Income
$18,604
$104,716 vs $86,112/yr
Berkeley
Violent Crime
14% lower
638.8 vs 739.8 per 100k
Berkeley
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.0% unemployment
Vallejo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 109.2 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Vallejo
Median Home Value
$765k less
$515,500 vs $1,280,300
Vallejo
Summer Heat
11.2°F warmer
July avg high 85.4°F vs 74.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Vallejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 109.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,280,300⚠ High | $515,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,067⚠ High | $1,894⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $104,716 ✓ Higher | $86,112 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 36.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 193⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 190⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 73.8% ✓ Higher | 27.5% |
| High School or Higher | 96.1% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Berkeley Unified | Vallejo City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 57.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.2°F | 85.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 26.1" | 21.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,385 | 125,132 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% | 17.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Berkeley's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Vallejo's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Vallejo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Vallejo leads 12 of 22 categories. Berkeley wins 10 and Vallejo wins 12. 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 Vallejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,280,300 vs $515,500 median home), income ($104,716 vs $86,112), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Berkeley, CA and Vallejo, CA are about 17 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.