San Bernardino, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching San Bernardino.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino, CA has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 117 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $384,900 and median rent about $1,433, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $63,988. Typical commute is 30 minutes; summer highs average 92°F. Violent-offense rates run about 1318.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 117U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $384,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,433U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $63,988U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1318.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 92°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how San Bernardino compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 224,775City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $63,988Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 117ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $384,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year27% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,433City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year6% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 45Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1318.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)125% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4190.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)36% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 92°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 44°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 9.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals72% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 330As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals23% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
San Bernardino grew 6.7% from 210,637 in 2010 to 224,775 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is San Bernardino expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, San Bernardino runs 17 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 117 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $384,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,433 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in San Bernardino?
Budget first around $1,433/month rent or $384,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $384,900
- Median rent $1,433/month
- Median household income $63,988
What is the job market like in San Bernardino?
Labor-market context for San Bernardino: unemployment 5.5% and median income $63,988. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $63,988
How long is the typical commute in San Bernardino?
Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way in San Bernardino. Walk Score estimates around 45 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 45/100
Is San Bernardino safer than similar U.S. cities?
San Bernardino's FBI-derived violent rate (~1318.8/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1318.8 per 100k
- Property 4190.3 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino's climate profile: 92°F summer peaks, 44°F winter mornings, 9.4" annual rainfall, and 330 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 92°F
- Winter low 44°F
- 9.4 in rain · 330 sunny days
About 224,775 people live in San Bernardino, CA. Median household income is roughly $63,988, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 117 — above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $384,900 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
San Bernardino is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare San Bernardino with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 330 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 45. Unemployment near 5.5% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1318.8 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (San Bernardino city, 1600000US0665000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Bernardino County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003171 RIVERSIDE MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10