San Bernardino CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 192,696 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 17.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $510,577 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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