San Bernardino CA vs Temecula 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%

Temecula, CA

California · Population: 110,404

  • Median HH Income$117,840
  • Median Home Price$769,756
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+39.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Temecula
16.6%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Temecula
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Temecula
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +

Safety

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

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +

Climate

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

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
Temecula
38.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.

Compare More Cities

About San Bernardino & Temecula