Norwalk CA vs San Bernardino CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Norwalk, CA

California · Population: 100,713

  • Median HH Income$98,709
  • Median Home Price$765,319
  • Unemployment5.6%
  • Bachelor's+21.3%

San Bernardino, CA

California · Population: 221,774

  • Median HH Income$63,988
  • Median Home Price$492,059
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+12.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Norwalk
100,713
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
22.9%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
San Bernardino
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
12.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
48.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
San Bernardino
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
San Bernardino
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
San Bernardino
15.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +

Which City is Right for You?

Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Norwalk & San Bernardino