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Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Cost of living in San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino County, CA

Part of the Riverside Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,918/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 2,187,816 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,852 47%
Federal tax $503 13%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $397 10%
Transport $320 8%
Energy $217 6%
State tax $89 2%
Water $60 2%

Rent in San Bernardino

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,776
per month
1 bedroom
$1,852
per month
2 bedroom
$2,306
per month
3 bedroom
$3,079
per month
4 bedroom
$3,745
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in San Bernardino

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$82,184
per year
Individual earnings
$40,844
per year
Per capita
$33,180
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in San Bernardino

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$475,000
Annual property tax
$3,346

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in San Bernardino

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in San Bernardino

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in San Bernardino

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in San Bernardino

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
32.5 min
Drive alone
75.2%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
10.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for San Bernardino

What it costs to live in San Bernardino each month.

Single person
$3,918
per month
  • Rent $1,852
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $503
  • State tax $89
Couple
$5,951
per month
  • Rent $2,306
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,015
  • State tax $358
Family
$8,931
per month
  • Rent $3,079
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,015
  • State tax $358

Frequently asked questions about San Bernardino

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in San Bernardino?

In San Bernardino, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,852 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,306 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,079 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in San Bernardino?

In San Bernardino, California, the average household income is $82,184 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,844 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in San Bernardino?

The estimated cost of living in San Bernardino, California is approximately $3,918 per month for a single person, $5,951 for a couple, $8,931 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in San Bernardino?

The combined sales tax rate in San Bernardino, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is San Bernardino an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in San Bernardino, California would need approximately $3,918 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $82,184 per year ($6,849 per month). San Bernardino has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in San Bernardino?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in San Bernardino, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in San Bernardino?

The average home value in San Bernardino, California is $475,000, with average annual property taxes of $3,346, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does San Bernardino compare to other areas?

You can compare San Bernardino, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. San Bernardino is in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare San Bernardino with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources