San Bernardino CA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.1 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 21.6% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 36.0% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $802,780 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, 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 Bernardino +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 37.4 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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