San Bernardino CA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 68,141 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.1 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 27.6% | 17.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 19.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Vallejo
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $523,551 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Vallejo
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Vallejo
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, 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%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, 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 +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 36.0 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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