Cost of Living: Berkeley, CA vs Tyler, TX (2026)

Berkeley

California
251
VS

Tyler

Texas
79

Berkeley is 218% more expensive than Tyler.

$2,127/mo ↑ 77%
Median Rent
$1,199/mo ↓ 44%
$108,558/yr ↑ 66%
Median Income
$65,527/yr ↓ 40%
$1,351,100 ↑ 524%
Home Value
$216,400 ↓ 84%
$2,340/mo ↑ 100%
Owner Costs
$1,170/mo ↓ 50%
120,223
Population
107,718

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Berkeley, CA and Tyler, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 251 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $928/month cheaper in Tyler, saving renters about $11,136/year.

Median household income is $43,031/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Berkeley is $1,351,100 compared to $216,400 in Tyler.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Tyler residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berkeley vs Tyler — common questions

Is Berkeley or Tyler cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tyler is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Berkeley and Tyler?
Median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month and in Tyler it's $1,199/month — a difference of $928/month.
Which city has higher income, Berkeley or Tyler?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley and $65,527 in Tyler. Median household income is $43,031/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Berkeley or Tyler?
It depends on your priorities. Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with median rent of $2,127/mo, while Tyler has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,199/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Berkeley details → View Tyler details →

More Comparisons

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