Firstly why Berkeley, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Berkeley
• State: California
• Population: 121,240 people
• Berkeley’s quick summary would be Famous for the University of California, Berkeley and its historic Free Speech Movement.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 17,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 20,000 annually
• Net Migration: -3000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 950

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it home to the University of California Berkeley attracts students academics and young professionals

Perk #1: Berkeley Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 50%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Asian
• The median income is (and growing)  $120,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Berkeley is $93,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-27000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Berkeley’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 195 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $8,534
• Property Tax %: 1.2%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,400
• Rent for an average house: $4,000
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Elmwood
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Berkeley, Albany, El-Cerrito, Kensington, and probably could include North-Berkeley
• Avg. Age of Homes in Berkeley: 64 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Berkeley’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Berkeley are  Education, Technology, and Healthcare
• Berkeley Job Scene: strong job market in education and healthcare
• The General Tech Scene: home to UC Berkeley, vibrant tech ecosystem with a focus on education and innovation ,
• Berkeley Resident’s pay $2,200 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Berkeley: 10.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 350 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 13

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Berkeley

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $200 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-80 facilitates travel through Berkeley toward San Francisco
• Commute Time: 28 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic backups on University Avenue
• Transportation Score: 87 out of 100 described as Excellent Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Berkeley: 100,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.8
• No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Berkeley: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
• Local Airport: Oakland International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Berkeley’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Berkeley is best described as experiences mild winters with cool temperatures and warm summers with occasional fog
• Winter Weather in Berkeley i’d describe as cool with rain occasionally
• Spring Weather in Berkeley can be described as mild with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Berkeley are mostly mild and coastal
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Berkeley is usually cool with fog
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 0 days in summer
• Days in a row in Berkeley below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 25 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality with initiatives for sustainability
• Berkeley Winter Air mixed air quality with seasonal variations in pollution

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Berkeley Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Berkeley 7
• While the number of trade schools inside Berkeleys’s city limits are 4
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Berkeley Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Berkeley Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Berkeley only Doctors is about 60
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Berkeley only Police Officers is about 220
• Crime Rate Index: 25/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Berkeley’s Monthly utility bill average is $250
• Berkeley’s Monthly Gym Membership: $70
• Berkeley’s Water Quality Score: 81

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Berkeley

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 15 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: university town with vibrant culture and activism
• You might enjoy performances at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Berkeley  offers a vibrant nightlife with unique bars music venues and a celebrated art scene

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Berkeley

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a mix of vegetarian options and diverse eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 150 scattered around Berkeley
• The Popular Sports Team is Berkeley High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Berkeley can be described as liberal stronghold with a focus on activism and social justice
• Berkeley’s Longer standing religious establishment is First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Berkeley Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Berkeley has 53 Parks?
• UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is Berkeley’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Berkeley Farmers Market normally open Saturday 10am-3pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and outdoor arts

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Berkeley Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Berkeley can be described as vibrant college town with a strong cultural and political presence
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Berkeley picnicking at parks attending art festivals hiking local trails
• The Cities people commute to from Berkeley are Oakland 5 miles away Richmond 6 miles away Alameda 8 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Berkeley or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic backups on University Avenue. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Berkeley’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Elmwood is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Berkeley are Oakland 5 miles away Richmond 6 miles away Alameda 8 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 25 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Berkeley has 0 days in a row below freezing and 0 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Berkeley people have an average (positive or negative) $-27000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   950 homeless people living in Berkeley. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal stronghold with a focus on activism and social justice could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Berkeley.

Retiree & Senior Life in Berkeley

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may be eligible for exemptions enhancing affordability of housing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Heritage
• Berkeley Senior Center hosts a variety of programs including arts workshops and fitness classes

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Berkeley, California?

If Berkeley, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Berkeley, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!