2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Berkeley, CA vs Novato, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Novato older or younger than people in Berkeley?
- The Median Age in Novato is 16.0 years older than in Berkeley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Novato or Berkeley?
- Novato housing costs are 20.3% less expensive than Berkeley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Novato or Berkeley?
- The average commute for residents of Novato is 3.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Berkeley.

Things to do in Berkeley?
Berkeley, California is a vibrant city in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's home to many educational and cultural attractions, such as the University of California at Berkeley, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and live music venues like The Greek Theater. Recreational activities are plentiful as well; visitors can take in views of the Bay from Tilden Regional Park or enjoy a day of sun at Berkeley Marina. Shopping options range from local boutiques to some of the finest retail stores in Northern California while dining experiences could take you anywhere from gourmet restaurants to street food vendors. Whether you’re looking for a place to call home or just some entertainment, Berkeley won't disappoint!

Things to do in Novato?
Novato, California is located in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Novato is home to nearly 56,000 people and offers a mix of rural and urban attractions. Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve and the Novato Arts Center for its art galleries, plays, and music events. Novato also boasts several shopping destinations in addition to top-notch schools, hospitals and services. With its combination of small-town charm, big-city amenities and access to pristine natural beauty, Novato provides an excellent place to call home.

 Berkeley, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,214329,725,481
 Median Income$97,834  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock48.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,320,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time28.74  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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