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Side-by-side comparison

San Bernardino vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 49% more expensive than San Bernardino. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,918/mo in San Bernardino.

Rent in San Bernardino vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Bernardino · Studio
$1,776
San Jose · Studio
$2,608
San Jose is $832 (47%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 1 bedroom
$1,852
San Jose · 1 bedroom
$2,975
San Jose is $1,123 (61%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 2 bedroom
$2,306
San Jose · 2 bedroom
$3,446
San Jose is $1,140 (49%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · 3 bedroom
$3,079
San Jose · 3 bedroom
$4,477
San Jose is $1,398 (45%) higher than San Bernardino

Income & earnings in San Bernardino vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Bernardino · Household income
$82,184
San Jose · Household income
$159,674
San Jose is $77,490 (94%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Individual earnings
$40,844
San Jose · Individual earnings
$74,030
San Jose is $33,186 (81%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Per capita
$33,180
San Jose · Per capita
$77,018
San Jose is $43,838 (132%) higher than San Bernardino

Home values in San Bernardino vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

San Bernardino · Average home value
$475,000
San Jose · Average home value
$1,382,800
San Jose is $907,800 (191%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Annual property tax
$3,346
San Jose · Annual property tax
$9,766
San Jose is $6,420 (192%) higher than San Bernardino

Energy in San Bernardino vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

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

Healthcare in San Bernardino vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Bernardino · Individual premium
$480
San Jose · Individual premium
$480
San Bernardino and San Jose are about the same
San Bernardino · Family premium
$1,350
San Jose · Family premium
$1,350
San Bernardino and San Jose are about the same
San Bernardino · Uninsured rate
8.5%
San Jose · Uninsured rate
4.0%
San Bernardino is 4.5% (113%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in San Bernardino vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

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

Transportation in San Bernardino vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

San Bernardino · Average commute
32.5 min
San Jose · Average commute
27.0 min
San Bernardino is 5.5 min (20%) higher than San Jose
San Bernardino · Drive alone
75.2%
San Jose · Drive alone
61.7%
San Bernardino is 13.5% (22%) higher than San Jose
San Bernardino · Public transit
0.9%
San Jose · Public transit
2.7%
San Jose is 1.8% (200%) higher than San Bernardino

Monthly cost estimates in San Bernardino vs San Jose

All categories combined.

San Bernardino · Single person
$3,918
San Jose · Single person
$5,823
San Jose is $1,905 (49%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Couple
$5,951
San Jose · Couple
$9,192
San Jose is $3,241 (54%) higher than San Bernardino
San Bernardino · Family
$8,931
San Jose · Family
$12,430
San Jose is $3,499 (39%) higher than San Bernardino

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Bernardino and San Jose.

Is San Bernardino or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,918/mo in San Bernardino, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 49%.

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

Average one-bedroom rent in San Bernardino, California is $1,852/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,123 (61%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Bernardino or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. San Bernardino households earn approximately $82,184 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on San Bernardino and San Jose

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.