San Bernardino, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

San Bernardino is a large city in California with a population of 221,774. Residents earn $63,988 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
221,774 Population 3,571/sq mi density
$63,988 Median Income $23,980 per capita
$384,900 Home Value $483,764 Zillow
$1,433 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature 332 sunny days/yr
992 Violent Crime/100K 4,305 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$63,988 median income, 3.9% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$384,900 home value, $1,433/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
992 violent crimes/100K (161% above avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,988
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $384,900
37% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 992/100K
161% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.8%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,433
23% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.9%
28% higher than US avg

How San Bernardino Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population221,774
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density3,571/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 28%

Economy

B+
Median Income$63,988
Per Capita$23,980
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty15.9%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute29 min

Housing

B
Home Value$384,900
Rent$1,433
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$483,764

Crime

F
Violent992/100K
Property4,305/100K
Murder20.0/100K
Assault545/100K
Burglary1,104/100K

Health

Obesity37.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI87 (Moderate)
Rain41.0 in/yr
Sunny Days332/yr
Elevation1,201 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.8%
High School+73.8%
School Score4.33

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute29 min
EV Stations159
Libraries67

Is San Bernardino a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, San Bernardino receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. San Bernardino has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in San Bernardino is $63,988, 15% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in San Bernardino is $384,900, 37% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,433 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 992 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,305 per 100,000, 120% above the national average.

Education

12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.3/10.

Climate & Weather

San Bernardino enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. With 332 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.0 inches, including 6.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87.

San Bernardino has a population of 221,774 with a density of 3,571 people per square mile. The median age is 31.9 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (27.6%), with 2.7% Hispanic, 11.8% Black.

Population

221,774
Total Population
3,571
People / sq mi
31.9yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
62.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

San Bernardino vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only47.3%
40% below US avg
Spanish52.7%
293% above US avg

Social Characteristics

San Bernardino vs U.S. Average

The median household income in San Bernardino is $63,988, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: San Bernardino vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,988
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,980
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.9%
28% above US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in San Bernardino is $384,900, 37% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,433 (23% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $483,764.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$384,900
37% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$483,764
Median List Price$499,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$499,950
$/Sq Ft$366
Homes Sold76
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops12.6%
Inventory239

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,433
23% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,923

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,692
1 Bedroom$1,777
2 Bedrooms$2,201
3 Bedrooms$2,912
4 Bedrooms$3,514

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied48.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate2.62%
In San Bernardino, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.0% report depression. 33.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: San Bernardino vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes14.4%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.6%
Physical Inactivity33.0%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress17.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.3%
Checkup Rate69.0%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
San Bernardino has a violent crime rate of 992 per 100,000 residents, 161% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,305 per 100,000 (120% above US avg). The murder rate is 20.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: San Bernardino vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent991.7/100K
161% above US avg
Murder20.0/100K
218% above US avg
Rape48.5/100K
Robbery377.9/100K
Assault545.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,305.5/100K
120% above US avg
Burglary1,104.4/100K
Theft2,052.8/100K
Vehicle Theft1,148.3/100K
Arson55.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
San Bernardino has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.0 inches. The area enjoys 332 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average49°F (10°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days332 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.0 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall6.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median87.0
RatingModerate
Good Days %10.9%
Unhealthy Days144

Geography

Elevation1,201 ft (366 m)
Area62.1 sq mi (160.9 km²)
Population Density3,571/sq mi
Coordinates34.1411°N, 117.2946°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.8%
62% below US avg
High School+73.8%
School Test Score4.33
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,571/sq mi
Total Area62.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations159
Alt Fuel Stations196
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home5.8%

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