Cost of Living in Berkeley, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
233.6
100 = national avg
+133.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$102,784
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$242,945
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing400.0
Food133.0
Transportation121.0
Healthcare126.4
Utilities179.8
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$2,385
per month
2 Bedroom
$2,912
per month
The overall cost of living index in Berkeley is 233.6, which is 133.6% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 400.0. A single adult needs to earn approximately $102,784 per year to cover basic expenses.