San Bernardino, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for San Bernardino, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in San Bernardino →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
San Bernardino, California is home to roughly 221,041 residents. The typical household here earns $61,323 a year — below the median we track across cities (-15%).
Anyone weighing a move to San Bernardino should know the median home value is $347,100, roughly in line with the multi-city median (+6%), and median rent runs $1,319 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
Buying a typical home in San Bernardino would take about 5.7 years of median household income — a high multiple that points to real affordability pressure. Home prices near San Bernardino have risen a steady 1.23% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. FEMA rates San Bernardino's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High — worth factoring into home insurance costs.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,319/mo in San Bernardino would take 25.8% of your income.
$214/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($347,100) would take 36.3% of your income toward principal & interest.
$422/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in San Bernardino
Median home value is $347,100 and median gross rent is $1,319/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for San Bernardino rose 1.23% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,201/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates San Bernardino's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
San Bernardino reported a violent crime rate of 893.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to San Bernardino
Planning a move to San Bernardino? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in San Bernardino, CA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts San Bernardino's median home value at $347,100, median rent at $1,319/month, and median household income at $61,323.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Bernardino?
- At San Bernardino's median rent of $1,319/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $52,760 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for San Bernardino.
- Is it better to rent or buy in San Bernardino?
- Comparing the two in San Bernardino: renting at the median $1,319/month needs about $52,760 in annual income (30% guideline), while buying the $347,100 median home needs roughly $79,415 a year in principal-and-interest, assuming 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at current rates.
- Is San Bernardino safe?
- San Bernardino reported a violent crime rate of 893.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for San Bernardino →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of San Bernardino's.