salaryRent is higher than in 81% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 12.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 74.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,200 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 324 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Berkeley?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Berkeley
| Size | Berkeley | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,849 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,187 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,559 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,859 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Berkeley overall?
Everyday prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area are 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Berkeley
Life in Berkeley
What jobs pay in Berkeley
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | 12.9% |
| Lawyer | $212,500 | 13.3% |
| Software Developer | $186,640 | 15.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | 15.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $184,380 | 15.3% |
| Pharmacist | $177,410 | 15.9% |
| Operations Manager | $149,990 | 18.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $146,760 | 19.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,460 | 21.0% |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | 21.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | 21.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | 22.9% |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | 24.9% |
| Accountant | $110,730 | 25.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 27.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $94,310 | 30.0% |
| Electrician | $92,830 | 30.4% |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | 31.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,490 | 36.0% |
| Plumber | $77,880 | 36.3% |
| Truck Driver | $66,450 | 42.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | 47.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $57,830 | 48.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 | 50.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $48,400 | 58.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,030 | 61.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $43,850 | 64.4% |
| Cashier | $41,270 | 68.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,860 | 72.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Berkeley?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $7,456 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,413,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $141,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Berkeley, CA?
Renting in Berkeley costs a median of about $2,355 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Berkeley?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,200 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Berkeley cheap or expensive?
Berkeley is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $116,577. It ranks 324th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Berkeley?
The median homeowner in Berkeley pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.71% of the median home value.
Is Berkeley more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 16% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Berkeley?
The median home value in Berkeley is $1,413,900, about 12.1 times the typical yearly household income.
120,257 people live in Berkeley. Numbers are typical (middle) values.