County Posts Robust Median Income Growth in 2019
Cost of living is low in San Bernardino County compared to its Southern California neighbors, but it is 18% higher than the national average. As a result, real income growth is important to ensure residents have sufficient income to thrive in San Bernardino County and afford rising expenses. This indicator tracks the change in inflation-adjusted median household income for San Bernardino County compared to the state and nation.1 Median household income and cost of living are presented for San Bernardino County and compared to selected peer markets. The cost of living index compares the prices of housing, consumer goods, and services in San Bernardino County relative to the national average.
TREND
Real median household income has rebounded in the last five years. In 2019, median household income in San Bernardino County was $67,903, which is a 21% increase since the 10-year low in 2014 and outpaces inflation. Despite this rapid recent growth rate, San Bernardino County’s median income rebound still lags the state and nation, which both surpassed their 2007 pre-recession median income highs in 2017. San Bernardino County has yet to reach that milestone.
REAL MEDIAN INCOME HAS INCREASED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Median Household Income (Inflation Adjusted to 2019 Dollars) in San Bernardino County, California, and the United States, 2010-2019
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Median income varies significantly by race and ethnicity. Pacific Islander, Black, Latino and Native American residents earn median incomes below the county average, with Pacific Islander residents earning the lowest median income at $35,632. White residents and residents that identify as two or more races, as well as Asian residents, earn median incomes above the county average, with Asian residents earning the highest median income at $81,919. This wide range in median income by race/ethnicity contributes to an Equity Gap Score of 2.3, where Asian residents have over twice the median income as Pacific Islander residents.
Equity Gap Score
2.3
ASIAN RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST MEDIAN INCOME
Median Household Income by Race and Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2019
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
San Bernardino County has the lowest cost of living in Southern California, but the highest among selected peer markets outside of California. With 100.0 being average, San Bernardino County measured 117.8 in 2019, or 18% more expensive than the national average. Regions with relatively high income and low cost of living provide residents with the most discretionary income. Among peer markets compared, Phoenix residents have the most advantageous ratio of income to cost of living, followed by San Bernardino County. Los Angeles County residents have the least favorable ratio, with a high cost of living and low median household income.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HAS THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS INCOME-TO-COST OF LIVING RATIO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Regional Comparison of Cost of Living Compared to the Household Median Income, 2019
Median Income for Seniors and Families
Compared to the countywide median household income of $67,903, senior households, where the householder is 65 years of age or older, have a substantially lower income ($48,615). However, seniors are also more likely to have assets, including owning their own home rather than renting (76% vs. 56% of non-seniors) and owning their home outright, without a mortgage (47% vs. 21% of non-senior homeowners). With a median annual income of $67,647, families with children under 18 years of age have a similar median income as all households countywide.