Housing Affordability

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Housing Affordability Declines 60% in 10 Years  

An adequate supply of affordable housing promotes homeownership, which increases stability for families and communities, and is an important source of wealth creation.[1] San Bernardino County’s lower relative housing prices in the region can attract first-time buyers seeking a more manageable housing budget and greater long-term financial security. This indicator uses the California Association of Realtors First-Time Buyer Housing Affordability Index to measure the percentage of households that can afford an existing single-family detached home at 85% of the median home price in San Bernardino County. This indicator also compares the minimum qualifying income for an entry-level home to the annual incomes of common or growing occupations. Homeownership rates are also shown. 

TREND

Housing continues to become less affordable for first-time buyers, while homeownership rates level off in 2023. In 2024, approximately 47% of San Bernardino County households could afford an entry-level single-family home. This is the lowest affordability rate measured in a decade. This rate declined from 50% measured in the first quarter of 2023 and 75% measured in the first quarter of 2015 – a decline of 60% since 2015. Despite this, the homeownership rate in the county grew steadily since 2014, rising from 58% to 63%. Between 2022 and 2023, the homeownership rate remained steady at the county, state, and national levels.  

GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON

Despite this downward shift in affordability, San Bernardino County remains more affordable than neighboring counties and the state. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, San Bernardino County remained the most housing-affordable county in Southern California. At 47%, a greater proportion of San Bernardino County households can afford an entry-level home than California households overall (31%). Orange County had the lowest affordability rate for entry-level single-family home purchases (17%), followed by San Diego County (24%), Los Angeles County (26%), and Riverside County (38%).

DESPITE DECREASE IN AFFORDABILITY, SAN BERNARDINO REMAINS THE MOST AFFORDABLE COUNTY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Percentage of Households Able to Afford Entry-Level Single-Family Home in San Bernardino County, Neighboring Counties, and California, 2015-2024

Note: Data are from the first quarter of the years presented. 

Source: California Association of Realtors (www.car.org) 

HOMEOWNERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FLATTENS IN 2023
Percentage of Households That Own Their Home in San Bernardino County, California, and the United States, 2014-2023

Note: Data not available in 2020.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, Table DP04 (data.census.gov) 

RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL

When looking at homeownership by race, 42% of homeowners are White, followed by people who identify as some other race (23%) or two or more races (18%). In terms of ethnicity, the majority of homeowners do not identify as Latino (55%). In the accompanying charts, the race and ethnicity of the householder for all occupied housing units, whether owned or rented, is provided for context.  

HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE BY RACE AND ETHNICITY VARIES COMPARED TO UNDERLYING OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS
Distribution of Homeownership by Race Compared to All Occupied Homes by Race in San Bernardino County, 2023
Distribution of Homeownership by Ethnicity Compared to All Occupied Homes by Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2023

Notes: The Census asks respondents to report both their race (or races) and their ethnicity (Hispanic or not Hispanic). Because race and ethnicity are collected as separate, overlapping categories, they are presented separately. Race categories include people of any ethnicity, and the Hispanic category includes people of any race. Additionally, to understand homeownership by different racial or ethnic groups, the charts display the percentage of householders from each racial or ethnic group that are homeowners, compared to the race or ethnic group’s percentage of householders in all occupied housing units, whether renter-occupied or owner-occupied. For example, if 100 householders were homeowners, and 42 of homeowners identify as White, 42% of homeowners identify as White.  This can be compared to White householders’ share of occupied housing units.  For example, if 42% of homeowners identify as White, and 38% of the householders of all occupied housing units identify as White, householders who identify as White are slightly overrepresented among homeowners.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce. “Demographic Characteristics for Occupied Housing Units.” American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S2502, 2023, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2023.S2502?q=S2502&g=050XX00US06071. Accessed on April 10, 2025. 

SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL

The minimum qualifying income needed to purchase a median-priced, entry-level single-family home in San Bernardino County (estimated to be $424,150) was $84,600 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Looking at the average salaries in a selection of common or growing occupations, only elementary school teachers and nurses would qualify for an entry-level home.  

HEALTH AIDE, RETAIL SALES, AND LOGISTICS AVERAGE SALARIES FALL BELOW MINIMUM REQUIRED INCOME FOR AN ENTRY-LEVEL HOME
Average Salaries for Selected Common or Growth Occupations and Minimum Qualifying Income to Afford Home Priced at 85% of the Median in San Bernardino County, 2024

Note: Data for Home Health Aide average salary now includes Personal Care Aides. Data for Home Health Aides should not be compared with years prior to 2020. Salary data for all occupations is sourced to 2024 Q1. Minimum Qualifying Income is sourced to Q4 2024.  

Sources: California Employment Development Department, Occupational Employment Statistics

(www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/oes-employment-and-wages.html);  California Association of Realtors (www.car.org).  

[1] Habitat for Humanity: Evidence Brief: Wealth Building (www.habitat.org/sites/default/files/Evidence-Brief_Wealth-building-for-homeowners.pdf)

1The California Association of Realtors defines the parameters for the First-Time Buyer Housing Affordability Index: 10% down and a 1-year adjustable-rate mortgage, including points and fees, based on Freddy Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.