Why Live in Downtown Berkeley
Downtown Berkeley is a vibrant neighborhood known for its arts, theater, and diverse dining options. Located adjacent to the University of California, Berkeley, it attracts a mix of students, professionals, and longtime residents. The area is dense, urban, and walkable, featuring numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants. Cultural attractions include the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and the Central Library. Dining options range from hole-in-the-wall pizzerias to upscale eateries like Ippuku and Comal. The original Berkeley Bowl Marketplace and the year-round Downtown Berkeley Farmer’s Market are popular for groceries. Parks such as Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park and Ohlone Park offer playgrounds, green spaces, and community gardens. Housing includes a mix of condos, apartments, and single-family homes in styles like California bungalows and Mediterranean Revival. Public schools, including Cragmont Elementary, Willard Middle School, and Berkeley High School, are highly rated. The neighborhood is well-connected by public transportation, with the Berkeley BART Plaza and several bus lines providing easy commutes. Nearby highways Interstate 580 and Interstate 80 offer direct routes to San Francisco, Oakland, and Richmond. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is also conveniently located within the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Berkeley a good place to live?
Downtown Berkeley is a good place to live. Downtown Berkeley is considered very walkable and a biker's paradise with great transit options. Downtown Berkeley has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 33.4 people per acre and a median age of 33. The average household income is $100,698 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 69.3% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown Berkeley are renters, with 82.7% of residents renting and 17.3% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown Berkeley can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown Berkeley neighborhood guide.
Is Downtown Berkeley, CA a safe neighborhood?
Downtown Berkeley, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 5 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown Berkeley?
The median home price in Downtown Berkeley is $899,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $179,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $4,650 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $199K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown Berkeley. The average household income in Downtown Berkeley is $101K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown Berkeley?
The best public schools that serve Downtown Berkeley are:
What are the best private schools in Downtown Berkeley?
The best private schools that serve Downtown Berkeley are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Downtown Berkeley?
Yes, home prices in Downtown Berkeley are down 22% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Downtown Berkeley, CA
On average, homes in Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley over the last 12 months is $1,037,500, down 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$1,037,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,250,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,500,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$762,500
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$385,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$896
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Median List Price
$899,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-11%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%