Living in San Bernardino, CA
Mid-size city in California
San Bernardino is a mid-size city in California, home to about 222,000 people, with 3.4 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a fast pace, and homes are a mix of apartments and houses.
Is San Bernardino a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Sunny: more sunshine and clearer skies than most places
- Strong healthcare: 4 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Easy flying: SBD is 4 mi away
- Big job market: about 3.4 million people live within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Higher crime: violent crime is 3.5× the US rate (FBI 2019)
- Hot summers: highs around 93°F
- Fewer graduates: 13% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
- Few dog parks: 11 within 9 mi
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how San Bernardino ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in San Bernardino: common questions
What is the cost of living in San Bernardino?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $495k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,910 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 106, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in San Bernardino?
California collects about $3,279 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.63% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is San Bernardino safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (3.5× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino is warm all year: winter days average around 67°F and summer days around 93°F.
Does San Bernardino get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is high, mainly from earthquakes and flooding: 9 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 2.13 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to San Bernardino?
The nearest major airport is SBD, about 4 mi away.
How San Bernardino scores
Each bar compares San Bernardino with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is San Bernardino right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.