Cost of Living: Berkeley, CA vs Gresham, OR (2026)

Berkeley

California
251
VS

Gresham

Oregon
119

Berkeley is 111% more expensive than Gresham.

$2,127/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,508/mo ↓ 29%
$108,558/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$73,608/yr ↓ 32%
$1,351,100 ↑ 207%
Home Value
$440,000 ↓ 67%
$2,340/mo ↑ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,590/mo ↓ 32%
120,223
Population
112,818

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Berkeley, CA and Gresham, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 251 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $619/month cheaper in Gresham, saving renters about $7,428/year.

Median household income is $34,950/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Berkeley is $1,351,100 compared to $440,000 in Gresham.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Gresham slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berkeley vs Gresham — common questions

Is Berkeley or Gresham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gresham is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Berkeley and Gresham?
Median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month and in Gresham it's $1,508/month — a difference of $619/month.
Which city has higher income, Berkeley or Gresham?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley and $73,608 in Gresham. Median household income is $34,950/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Berkeley or Gresham?
It depends on your priorities. Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with median rent of $2,127/mo, while Gresham has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,508/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Berkeley details → View Gresham details →

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