County Posts Robust Median Income Growth in 2021
The cost of living is low in San Bernardino County compared to its Southern California neighbors, but it is 19% 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 in San Bernardino County has grown steadily since 2014. In 2021, median household income in San Bernardino County was $74,846, which is a 25% increase since 2012 and outpaces inflation. In comparison, California’s inflation-adjusted median household income fell between 2019 and 2021 and increased 23% since 2012. Meanwhile, real median income nationwide was flat between 2019 and 2021 and increased only 15% since 2012.
REAL MEDIAN INCOME HAS INCREASED STEADILY IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SINCE 2014
Median Household Income (Inflation Adjusted to 2021 Dollars) in San Bernardino County, California, and the United States, 2012 to 2021
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Median income varies significantly by race and ethnicity. The median incomes for Black and Latino residents, as well as people who identify as two or more races, are below the county average. White and Asian residents have median incomes above the county average. The range in median income by race/ethnicity contributes to an equity gap score of 1.5, where Asian residents have one and a half times the median income as Black residents ($94,059 and $60,999, respectively).
ASIAN RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST MEDIAN INCOME
Median Household Income by Race and Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2021
| Race/Ethnicity | Median Income |
|---|---|
| Black | $60,999 |
| Two+ | $71,284 |
| Latino | $71,385 |
| Countywide Median | $74,846 |
| White | $80,927 |
| Asian | $94,059 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
San Bernardino County has the lowest cost of living in Southern California, but higher than selected peer markets outside of California. With 100.0 being the average, San Bernardino County measured 118.6 on the Cost of Living Index in 2021, or 19% 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 HAS THE SECOND MOST ADVANTAGEOUS COST OF LIVING TO INCOME RATIO COMPARED TO PEERS
Cost of Living Compared to the Local Median Income in San Bernardino County and Peer Markets, 2021
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates; Sperling’s Best Places, August 2021
Median Income for Seniors and Families
Compared to the countywide median household income of $74,846, senior households, where the householder is 65 years of age or older, have a substantially lower income ($53,961). However, seniors are also more likely to have assets, including owning their own home rather than renting (78% vs. 57% of non-seniors) and owning their home outright, without a mortgage (48% vs. 23% of non-senior homeowners).
With a median annual income of $76,131, families with children under 18 years of age have a similar median income as all households countywide.
[1] All income data in this indicator are inflation-adjusted to 2021 dollars, such that $1,000 earned in 2012, for example, has the same buying power as $1,180 in 2021. “Real” refers to income adjusted for inflation.