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Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from San Bernardino to Houston

Comparing San Bernardino, California, and Houston, Texas, using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct financial and logistical trade-offs. San Bernardino registers a 2024 ACS population of 222,724, a median household income of $67,415, a median gross rent of $1,508, and a median owner-occupied home value of $422,300, alongside a 32-minute commute estimate. Houston has a much larger 2024 ACS population of 2,328,253, a median household income of $64,813, a lower median gross rent of $1,361, and a lower median owner-occupied home value of $277,800, paired with a 30-minute commute estimate and a simplified state income tax reference of 0.00%. Neither city features a declared universal winner, as households must weigh San Bernardino's slightly higher median income against Houston's substantially lower median home values and rents.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from San Bernardino to Houston

⇄ Switch to HoustonSan Bernardino
Median Rent Impact
-$147/mo

Moving to Houston saves ~$1,764/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference

Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.

Daily Commute Difference
-2 min / day

Difference of ~17 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.

Your move

Compare the life behind the offer.

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What matters most?

Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.

LIVE VERDICTSANHOU
67/ 100

A close, nuanced move

Your modeled annual room improves.
Estimated annual life delta+$14,148after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$81,592
Core costs$33,096$31,332
Commute time16 hours gained
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
See assumptions and methodology →
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The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $1,764 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.

San Bernardino household income$67,415
Houston household income$64,813
San Bernardino gross rent$1,508
Houston gross rent$1,361

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricSan BernardinoHouston
2024 ACS population222,7242,328,253
Median household income$67,415$64,813
Median gross rent$1,508$1,361
Median owner-occupied home value$422,300$277,800
State-tax treatmentExcluded0% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

How much do you need to earn to live in Houston?

2024 ACS Median Income

$64,813/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$54,440 / year

To afford Houston's median gross rent of $1,361/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $26.17/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$70,457 / year

Modeled against Houston's median home benchmark of $277,800 (estimated $1,644/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$64,813gross/year
Affordability Status:Balanced
Rent is 25% of gross income (32% of net pay)

Rent aligns with the standard 30% rule (25% of gross pay). Standard budgeting applies.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,205/mo
Tax 22%
Rent 25%
Essentials 23%
Savings 30%
Taxes: $1,188/mo Rent: $1,361/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,594/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in San Bernardino and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.

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Decision checklist

  • Median gross rent differences between cities
  • Owner-occupied home value disparities
  • Derived one-way commute duration estimates
  • State individual income tax references

What each city wins

San Bernardino

Median gross rent stands at $1,508 per month according to 2024 ACS data.. Watch a derived 32-minute one-way commute contrasts with citywide housing costs..

Houston

Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..

Frequently asked questions

How do the 2024 ACS populations of San Bernardino and Houston compare?

According to the 2024 ACS estimates, San Bernardino has a population of 222,724, while Houston is significantly larger with a population of 2,328,253.

What are the housing cost differences between San Bernardino and Houston?

Based on 2024 ACS data, San Bernardino shows a median gross rent of $1,508 and a median home value of $422,300, whereas Houston reports a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800.

Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.

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