California · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in San Bernardino County, CA

Prices around San Bernardino County, CA run 6.4% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $85,478 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,201 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $88,040 a year.

San Bernardino County, CA at a glance

Median household income

$85,478$7,123 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,201HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)106.4+6.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Population2,197,104Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in San Bernardino County, CA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,201Monthly market rent
Share of gross income30.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$88,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,137At 30% of $85,478
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in San Bernardino County, CA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in San Bernardino County, CA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,692$20,304$67,68023.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,777$21,324$71,08024.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,201$26,412$88,04030.9%
3-Bedroom Home$2,912$34,944$116,48040.9%
4-Bedroom Home$3,514$42,168$140,56049.3%

Rent in San Bernardino County, CA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in San Bernardino County, CA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $85,478 a year ($7,123 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,562/moRent ($2,201 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,137/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,425/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $85,478 leaves after California taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and California tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$85,478
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$85,478
Net 76%
Fed 12%
CA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,259After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,438Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,510Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,975 / yr
California state income tax$3,704 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,539 / yr

Living in San Bernardino County, CA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in San Bernardino County, CA is $85,478 per year (approximately $7,123 per month).

What is the average rent in San Bernardino County, CA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,692 for a studio, $1,777 for one bedroom, $2,201 for two, $2,912 for three and $3,514 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is San Bernardino County, CA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 6.4% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 106.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in San Bernardino County, CA?

To keep a $2,201 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $88,040 a year, or $7,337 a month. That is 103% of what the typical household in San Bernardino County, CA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in San Bernardino County, CA?

On the local median income of $85,478 ($7,123 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,562 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,137 for everything else and $1,425 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,201 takes 62% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in San Bernardino County, CA?

Homes in California paid 34.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $313. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.