Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from San Bernardino to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median household income ($81,939 vs $67,415) and higher housing costs (rent $1,933 vs $1,508; home value $921,200 vs $422,300) than San Bernardino. Commute times are similar (33 vs 32 minutes). Los Angeles applies a 9.30% state income tax reference in the model, while San Bernardino’s tax is excluded per data constraints. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption for both. These factors create a trade-off: Los Angeles offers higher income but at significantly higher housing costs, with tax modeled only for LA. No universal winner is declared, as suitability depends on individual priorities regarding income, housing affordability, commute, and tax considerations.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → San BernardinoMoving from San Bernardino to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$425/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$5,100 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
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 VERDICTSAN → LAX
46/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$3,132after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, San Bernardino is about $5,100 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
Los Angeles household income$81,939
San Bernardino gross rent$1,508
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | San Bernardino | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,724 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $67,415 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,508 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $422,300 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in San Bernardino and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. 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.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
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..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between the two cities?
Los Angeles has higher housing costs than San Bernardino, with median gross rent at $1,933 per month compared to $1,508, and median home value at $921,200 versus $422,300, based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What role does income tax play in the comparison?
Los Angeles uses a 9.30% state individual income tax reference in the calculator, while San Bernardino’s tax is excluded due to lack of approved state reference; this is not a calculation of personal tax liability.
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.