San Bernardino CA vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.0 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 27.6% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 29.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $1,006,261 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 47.6% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Bernardino, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Bernardino, CAChicago, IL vs San Bernardino, CAHouston, TX vs San Bernardino, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Bernardino, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Bernardino, CA