San Bernardino CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Spokane
6.1%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.2 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 6.1% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 7.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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