2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Berkeley, CA vs Richmond, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or is it cheaper to live in Berkeley?
- Richmond is 10.5% less expensive than Berkeley.

Which city has more affordable housing, Richmond or Berkeley?
- Richmond housing costs are 52.1% less expensive than Berkeley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley or is Health Care more affordable in Richmond.
- Health related expenses are 3.7% more in Richmond.
 Berkeley, CARichmond, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock174.9100
 Food & Groceries114.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.1100
 Housing521.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$615,900$338,100
 Utilities91  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.2100
 Miscellaneous158.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Berkeley

Reviews for Richmond    9 Reviews

I've lived in Richmond since 2014. I find that for proximity to the rest of the East Bay, Marin county, and San Francisco it's a tremendous location. We moved here from  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Grown up around all my life, and lived for the past 3 years. Diverse in the worst kinda way (the way that will get you robbed or assaulted). The epicenter of the  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here for more than half of my life, and never want to leave. The weather is nearly perfect. The population is very racially diverse and people for the most  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Richmond


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.