San Bernardino CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

About San Bernardino & West Palm Beach