City Comparison
San Bernardino vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dallas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Bernardino
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to San Bernardino.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Bernardino's average rent is
28% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,803 | $1,412 | +28% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,803 | $2,404 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Bernardino offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas 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 $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,500 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,210 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $67,415 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,044 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.01% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#62Texas, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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