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Side-by-side comparison

San Bernardino vs San Diego

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

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 15% more expensive than San Bernardino. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,918/mo in San Bernardino.

Rent in San Bernardino vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Bernardino · Studio
$1,776
San Diego · Studio
$2,145
San Diego is $369 (21%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 1 bedroom
$1,852
San Diego · 1 bedroom
$2,328
San Diego is $476 (26%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 2 bedroom
$2,306
San Diego · 2 bedroom
$2,881
San Diego is $575 (25%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 3 bedroom
$3,079
San Diego · 3 bedroom
$3,852
San Diego is $773 (25%) higher than San Bernardino

Income & earnings in San Bernardino vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Bernardino · Household income
$82,184
San Diego · Household income
$102,285
San Diego is $20,101 (24%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Individual earnings
$40,844
San Diego · Individual earnings
$49,552
San Diego is $8,708 (21%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Per capita
$33,180
San Diego · Per capita
$49,891
San Diego is $16,711 (50%) higher than San Bernardino

Home values in San Bernardino vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

San Bernardino · Average home value
$475,000
San Diego · Average home value
$791,600
San Diego is $316,600 (67%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Annual property tax
$3,346
San Diego · Annual property tax
$5,542
San Diego is $2,196 (66%) higher than San Bernardino

Energy in San Bernardino vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

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

Healthcare in San Bernardino vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Bernardino · Individual premium
$480
San Diego · Individual premium
$480
San Bernardino and San Diego are about the same
San Bernardino · Family premium
$1,350
San Diego · Family premium
$1,350
San Bernardino and San Diego are about the same
San Bernardino · Uninsured rate
8.5%
San Diego · Uninsured rate
6.8%
San Bernardino is 1.7% (25%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in San Bernardino vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

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

Transportation in San Bernardino vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

San Bernardino · Average commute
32.5 min
San Diego · Average commute
25.9 min
San Bernardino is 6.6 min (25%) higher than San Diego
San Bernardino · Drive alone
75.2%
San Diego · Drive alone
67.6%
San Bernardino is 7.6% (11%) higher than San Diego
San Bernardino · Public transit
0.9%
San Diego · Public transit
2.2%
San Diego is 1.3% (144%) higher than San Bernardino

Monthly cost estimates in San Bernardino vs San Diego

All categories combined.

San Bernardino · Single person
$3,918
San Diego · Single person
$4,511
San Diego is $593 (15%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Couple
$5,951
San Diego · Couple
$6,941
San Diego is $990 (17%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Family
$8,931
San Diego · Family
$10,119
San Diego is $1,188 (13%) higher than San Bernardino

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Bernardino and San Diego.

Is San Bernardino or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,918/mo in San Bernardino, California and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between San Bernardino and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Bernardino, California is $1,852/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $476 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Bernardino or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. San Bernardino households earn approximately $82,184 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on San Bernardino and San Diego

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.