City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

San Bernardino, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for San Bernardino - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

221,774
Residents
$63,988
Median income
$384,900
Median home
$3,236
Median rent (state)

San Bernardino - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, San Bernardino lands in the 41st percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
76th
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: San Bernardino, CA

221,774 people live in San Bernardino, California - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. San Bernardino households earn a median of $63,988 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.9%. Typical homes in San Bernardino are valued around $384,900, and the median resident age is 31.9 years. Educational attainment runs 12.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 47 residential building permits were authorized in San Bernardino (Construction Slowdown), down 48% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. San Bernardino's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3794.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,236 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for San Bernardino workers runs 27.0 minutes, with 76.6% driving alone and 5.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 99.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

221,774 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$63,988 /yr

Poverty 15.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does San Bernardino compare to other US cities?

Where San Bernardino sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 76% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: San Bernardino ranks #405 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below San Bernardino's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

41stIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

San Bernardino's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

San Bernardino's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 21 Avg. percentile National median
San Bernardino's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How San Bernardino's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$384,900 24th percentile more affordable than 24% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. San Bernardino $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - San Bernardino, CA San Bernardino, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not San Bernardino, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution San Bernardino, CA median $63,988/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
San Bernardino, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for San Bernardino, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
221,774
Median Income
$63,988
Median Home Value
$384,900
Median Age
31.9
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor force participation
56.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3794.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
897.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2897.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
79
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
220,000 residents220,500 residents221,000 residents221,500 residents222,000 residents222,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 222,080 residents 222,044 residents ▼ -0.0%
San Bernardino's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
47
housing units authorized
Single-Family
47
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 91
2020 29
2021 207
2022 167
2023 203
2024 47

Permit volume decreased 48% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.0 minutes
Drive Alone
76.6%
Carpool
12.9%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
5.8%
Other
1.9%

Based on 93,486 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county San Bernardino sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Modesto
218,614 people
Fremont
228,518 people
Santa Clarita
229,021 people
Fontana
211,921 people
Moreno Valley
210,378 people
Oxnard
201,014 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to San Bernardino's 221,774 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hialeah, FL
221,901 people
Tacoma, WA
220,482 people
Port St. Lucie, FL
220,453 people
Spring Valley, NV
219,913 people
Baton Rouge, LA
223,699 people
Huntsville, AL
218,814 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to San Bernardino's $63,988 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Ulm, MN
$63,984 median income
Perry, IA
$63,983 median income
Brownsville, MN
$63,977 median income
West Point, NE
$63,977 median income
Wood, PA
$63,977 median income
Papineau, IL
$64,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - San Bernardino, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition San Bernardino, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.6% 11.8% 39.9% 15.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 69.6% White 27.6% Black or African American 11.8% Asian 4.1% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 39.9% Two or more races 15.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How San Bernardino compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
San Bernardino (this city) 221,774 $63,988
Modesto 218,614 $77,899
Fremont 228,518 $176,350
Santa Clarita 229,021 $119,926
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about San Bernardino, CA?

What is the population of San Bernardino, CA? +

San Bernardino, CA has a population of 221,774 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in San Bernardino, CA? +

The median household income in San Bernardino is $63,988 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in San Bernardino? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for San Bernardino; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is San Bernardino, CA safe? +

San Bernardino has a total crime rate of 3794.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in San Bernardino, CA? +

The median home value in San Bernardino is $384,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.