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Side-by-side comparison

Riverside vs San Bernardino

Cost of living comparison for Riverside, California and San Bernardino, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 1% more expensive than San Bernardino. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,918/mo in San Bernardino.

Rent in Riverside vs San Bernardino

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Riverside · Studio
$1,776
San Bernardino · Studio
$1,776
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · 1 bedroom
$1,852
San Bernardino · 1 bedroom
$1,852
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · 2 bedroom
$2,306
San Bernardino · 2 bedroom
$2,306
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · 3 bedroom
$3,079
San Bernardino · 3 bedroom
$3,079
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same

Income & earnings in Riverside vs San Bernardino

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Riverside · Household income
$89,672
San Bernardino · Household income
$82,184
Riverside is $7,488 (9%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Individual earnings
$42,131
San Bernardino · Individual earnings
$40,844
Riverside is $1,287 (3%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Per capita
$37,162
San Bernardino · Per capita
$33,180
Riverside is $3,982 (12%) higher than San Bernardino

Home values in Riverside vs San Bernardino

Average values and property tax.

Riverside · Average home value
$510,300
San Bernardino · Average home value
$475,000
Riverside is $35,300 (7%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Annual property tax
$4,189
San Bernardino · Annual property tax
$3,346
Riverside is $843 (25%) higher than San Bernardino

Energy in Riverside vs San Bernardino

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Riverside · Monthly electricity
$167
San Bernardino · Monthly electricity
$167
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · Monthly gas
$50
San Bernardino · Monthly gas
$50
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · Annual total
$2,604
San Bernardino · Annual total
$2,604
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same

Healthcare in Riverside vs San Bernardino

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Riverside · Individual premium
$480
San Bernardino · Individual premium
$480
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · Family premium
$1,350
San Bernardino · Family premium
$1,350
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · Uninsured rate
8.0%
San Bernardino · Uninsured rate
8.5%
San Bernardino is 0.5% (6%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Riverside vs San Bernardino

State income and sales tax.

Riverside · State income tax
13.3%
San Bernardino · State income tax
13.3%
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · State sales tax
7.3%
San Bernardino · State sales tax
7.3%
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same
Riverside · Combined sales tax
8.8%
San Bernardino · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Riverside and San Bernardino are about the same

Transportation in Riverside vs San Bernardino

Commute time and travel modes.

Riverside · Average commute
33.8 min
San Bernardino · Average commute
32.5 min
Riverside is 1.3 min (4%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Drive alone
74.6%
San Bernardino · Drive alone
75.2%
San Bernardino is 0.6% (1%) higher than Riverside
Riverside · Public transit
0.7%
San Bernardino · Public transit
0.9%
San Bernardino is 0.2% (29%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Riverside vs San Bernardino

All categories combined.

Riverside · Single person
$3,947
San Bernardino · Single person
$3,918
Riverside is $29 (1%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Couple
$6,132
San Bernardino · Couple
$5,951
Riverside is $181 (3%) higher than San Bernardino
Riverside · Family
$9,112
San Bernardino · Family
$8,931
Riverside is $181 (2%) higher than San Bernardino

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Riverside and San Bernardino.

Is Riverside or San Bernardino more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,947/mo in Riverside, California and $3,918/mo in San Bernardino, California, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Riverside and San Bernardino?

Average one-bedroom rent in Riverside, California is $1,852/mo versus $1,852/mo in San Bernardino, California. San Bernardino is approximately $0 (0%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Riverside or San Bernardino?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year; San Bernardino households earn approximately $82,184 per year.

More on Riverside and San Bernardino

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

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.