Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from San Bernardino to Phoenix
Comparing San Bernardino, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, using 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, income, housing costs, commute times, and taxation. San Bernardino has an estimated 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, with a derived one-way commute of 32 minutes. Phoenix is substantially larger with 1,642,323 residents, a higher median household income of $81,332, a median gross rent of $1,582, and a slightly lower median home value of $420,700, alongside a shorter 28-minute commute and a simplified 2.50% state individual income-tax reference. Both cities share a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month. Neither citywide profile establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → San BernardinoMoving from San Bernardino to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$74/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$888 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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 → PHX
63/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$8,696after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, San Bernardino is about $888 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
San Bernardino gross rent$1,508
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | San Bernardino | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,724 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $67,415 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,508 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $422,300 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in San Bernardino and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Population scale difference between San Bernardino and Phoenix
- Median household income comparison
- Housing affordability across rent and home values
- Derived one-way commute duration variance
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do the median household incomes compare between San Bernardino and Phoenix?
According to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, San Bernardino has a median household income of $67,415, whereas Phoenix has a higher median household income of $81,332.
What are the housing costs and commute times for both cities?
San Bernardino features a median gross rent of $1,508, a median home value of $422,300, and a 32-minute commute. Phoenix has a median gross rent of $1,582, a median home value of $420,700, and a 28-minute commute.
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.