California · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in San Bernardino, CA

The median household in San Bernardino, CA earns $67,415 a year ($5,618/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $2,201/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $88,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.4% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,415$5,618 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$2,201HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)106.4+6.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Census Population222,724Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in San Bernardino, CA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,201Monthly market rent
Share of gross income39.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$88,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,685At 30% of $67,415
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: San Bernardino, CA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for San Bernardino, CA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,692$20,304$67,68030.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,777$21,324$71,08031.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,201$26,412$88,04039.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,912$34,944$116,48051.8%
4-Bedroom Home$3,514$42,168$140,56062.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for San Bernardino, CA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in San Bernardino, CA

Based on the local median household income of $67,415/year ($5,618/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,809/moRent ($2,201 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,685/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 106.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,124/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in California

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and California state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$67,415
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,415
Net 80%
Fed 9%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,089After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,507Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,080Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,001 / yr
California state income tax$2,168 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,157 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across California with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in San Bernardino, CA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in San Bernardino, CA is $67,415 per year (approximately $5,618 per month).

What is the average rent in San Bernardino, CA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in San Bernardino, CA are $1,692 for a studio, $1,777 for 1 bedroom, $2,201 for 2 bedrooms, $2,912 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,514 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in San Bernardino, CA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in San Bernardino, CA is 106.4 (6.4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,201/month) in San Bernardino, CA requires a minimum gross household income of $88,040 per year ($7,337 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in San Bernardino, CA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,415/year ($5,618/month) in San Bernardino, CA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,809/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,685/month to discretionary spending, and $1,124/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in San Bernardino, CA?

Residential electricity rates in California average 34.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $313 per month.