Side-by-side comparison

Tucson vs San Bernardino

Cost of living comparison for Tucson, Arizona and San Bernardino, California.

Bottom line

San Bernardino is approximately 32% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $3,918/mo in San Bernardino versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Tucson vs San Bernardino

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Tucson · Studio

$941

San Bernardino · Studio

$1,776

San Bernardino is $835 (89%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

San Bernardino · 1 bedroom

$1,852

San Bernardino is $800 (76%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

San Bernardino · 2 bedroom

$2,306

San Bernardino is $933 (68%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

San Bernardino · 3 bedroom

$3,079

San Bernardino is $1,155 (60%) higher than Tucson

Income & earnings in Tucson vs San Bernardino

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

San Bernardino · Household income

$82,184

San Bernardino is $14,255 (21%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

San Bernardino · Individual earnings

$40,844

San Bernardino is $3,202 (9%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

San Bernardino · Per capita

$33,180

Tucson is $5,384 (16%) higher than San Bernardino

Home values in Tucson vs San Bernardino

Average values and property tax.

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

San Bernardino · Average home value

$475,000

San Bernardino is $188,100 (66%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

San Bernardino · Annual property tax

$3,346

San Bernardino is $1,098 (49%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Tucson vs San Bernardino

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

San Bernardino · Monthly electricity

$167

San Bernardino is $17 (11%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

San Bernardino · Monthly gas

$50

San Bernardino is $11 (28%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

San Bernardino · Annual total

$2,604

San Bernardino is $336 (15%) higher than Tucson

Healthcare in Tucson vs San Bernardino

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

San Bernardino · Individual premium

$480

Tucson and San Bernardino are about the same

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

San Bernardino · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson and San Bernardino are about the same

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

San Bernardino · Uninsured rate

8.5%

Tucson is 0.4% (5%) higher than San Bernardino

Taxes in Tucson vs San Bernardino

State income and sales tax.

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

San Bernardino · State income tax

13.3%

San Bernardino is 10.8% (432%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

San Bernardino · State sales tax

7.3%

San Bernardino is 1.7% (29%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

San Bernardino · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Bernardino is 0.5% (6%) higher than Tucson

Transportation in Tucson vs San Bernardino

Commute time and travel modes.

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

San Bernardino · Average commute

32.5 min

San Bernardino is 8.1 min (33%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

San Bernardino · Drive alone

75.2%

San Bernardino is 4.5% (6%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

San Bernardino · Public transit

0.9%

Tucson is 0.7% (78%) higher than San Bernardino

Monthly cost estimates in Tucson vs San Bernardino

All categories combined.

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

San Bernardino · Single person

$3,918

San Bernardino is $947 (32%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

San Bernardino · Couple

$5,951

San Bernardino is $1,508 (34%) higher than Tucson

Tucson · Family

$7,144

San Bernardino · Family

$8,931

San Bernardino is $1,787 (25%) higher than Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Tucson and San Bernardino.

Is Tucson or San Bernardino more expensive?

San Bernardino is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona and $3,918/mo in San Bernardino, California, a difference of about 32%.

What is the rent difference between Tucson and San Bernardino?

Average one-bedroom rent in Tucson, Arizona is $1,052/mo versus $1,852/mo in San Bernardino, California. San Bernardino is approximately $800 (76%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Tucson or San Bernardino?

San Bernardino has the higher average household income. Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year; San Bernardino households earn approximately $82,184 per year.

More on Tucson and San Bernardino

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Tucson profile San Bernardino profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.