2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Mercer Island, WA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Mercer Island?
- Berkeley is 23.7% more expensive than Mercer Island.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Mercer Island?
- Berkeley housing costs are 21.7% less expensive than Mercer Island housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Mercer Island or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 32.4% more in Berkeley.
 Mercer Island, WABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries116.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing665.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities71  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous151.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Mercer Island    4 Reviews

Mercer Island is a wonderful family community. It feels much more "small town" than a city even though it has a population of 20,000+. People say hello and watch out  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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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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