2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Berkeley, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Berkeley?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 7.0 years older than in Berkeley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Berkeley?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 15.5% more expensive than Berkeley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Berkeley?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 11.6 minutes shorter 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 Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Berkeley, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$97,834  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,320,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%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 Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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