San Bernardino CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Tucson
13.7%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.6 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 13.7% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.0% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 42.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $54,546 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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