San Bernardino 59 Below average
San Bernardino Livability #661 ranked city in California#20,479 ranked city in the USARanks better than 30% of areas
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San Bernardino, CA - The Heart of the Inland Empire

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.

Pros and Cons of Living in San Bernardino

PROS
  • Commute 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 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.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living 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 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 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 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.

What's it like Living in San Bernardino?

San Bernardino is a big city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 221,910 people. In San Bernardino, there are 3,607 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. 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. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all San Bernardino residents is 31. In San Bernardino, only 43% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make San Bernardino your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 29 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in San Bernardino can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in San Bernardino and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare San Bernardino to California and the national average.

With a livability score of 58/100, San Bernardino is ranked #20,099 in the United States and #677 in California. Compared to the US average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. Based on the scores for each individual category, San Bernardino has received high marks for amenities (B-) and housing (A). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in San Bernardino. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F), cost of living (F), education (D) and employment (D).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in San Bernardino can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in San Bernardino is actually affordable. The median home price for San Bernardino homes is $478,027, which is 34.7% 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 6.4, which is 16.9% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Bernardino

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Compare San Bernardino, CA Livability

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      San Bernardino transportation information

      Statistic San Bernardino California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.1%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.5%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home3.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Bernardino, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.