City Comparison
San Bernardino vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Bernardino scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Bernardino
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Bernardino's average rent is
28% lower than Anaheim's.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,803 | $2,487 | -28% |
| Groceries | $450 | $411 | +9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $262 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $514 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $2,803 | $3,813 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Bernardino offers 62% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Bernardino delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Bernardino is estimated at
$55,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,500 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,210 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $67,415 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Bernardino runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Bernardino comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 44.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,044 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $22.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
San Bernardino
#166California, USA
37.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
Anaheim
#171California, USA
34.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between San Bernardino and Anaheim.
Open Cost Calculator