San Bernardino, CA, known as 'The Heart of the Inland Empire,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, San Bernardino is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Riverside and Ontario enhance its status as a central point in the region. San Bernardino's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
San Bernardino is home to several iconic landmarks, including the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, the historic Arrowhead Springs Hotel, and the scenic San Bernardino National Forest. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Glen Helen Regional Park to the bustling Inland Center Mall, known for its shopping and dining. San Bernardino's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Mexican cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Route 66 Rendezvous and the San Bernardino County Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate San Bernardino's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like California State University, San Bernardino contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in San Bernardino is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The San Manuel Stadium and the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in San Bernardino provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
San Bernardino’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Inland Empire 66ers (MiLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in San Bernardino include healthcare, education, and logistics, with significant employers such as San Bernardino County and Amazon driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and Metrolink, making commuting convenient.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
San Bernardino, California is a big city with a population of 216,784 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,489 people per square mile, San Bernardino is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of San Bernardino identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 46% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. With an average age of 31 years old, San Bernardino could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in San Bernardino, only 43% of the population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in San Bernardino is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 29 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in San Bernardino can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in San Bernardino and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.
San Bernardino, CA receives 63/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #497 in California and #13,814 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. San Bernardino scores well for amenities (B-), education (A+) and housing (A-) On a more negative note, San Bernardino does not have favorable ranks for the following: crime (F), cost of living (D) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The San Bernardino market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
San Bernardino real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in San Bernardino. The median home price for San Bernardino homes is $272,600, which is 33.4% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in San Bernardino, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 14.1% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | San Bernardino | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.1% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.5% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.3% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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