City Comparison
Fresno vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fresno scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fresno
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Fresno.
| Metric | Fresno | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,675 | $1,803 | -7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $250 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,825 | $2,803 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fresno offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fresno delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fresno is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Fresno | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,814 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,563 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $70,991 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.10000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Fresno | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.90°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 100.00°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 41.30°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 15.00 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | 328 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fresno has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to San Bernardino.
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 | Fresno | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fresno is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, Fresno is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fresno | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 558,649 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.56% | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 5.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fresno
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to other major California cities, with a cost of living index of 102.
Strong and growing job market in key sectors like Healthcare and Social Assistance, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.
Proximity to major national parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon) offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Rich agricultural heritage provides access to fresh, local produce and a unique cultural identity.
Diverse population and community, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene and varied dining options.
Drawbacks
Unemployment rate of 7.8% in August 2026 is higher than the national average.
Car dependency is medium, with an average walk score of 47, meaning most errands require a car.
Some hospitals have received lower safety grades, indicating mixed healthcare quality across facilities.
Median household income of $70,991 is lower than the national median.
Poverty rate of 20.08% is a significant concern.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fresno
#95California, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,675
Avg Salary
$63,814
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
66.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.56%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
70
Business
65
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
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