Is San Bernardino, CA cheaper than Salt Lake City, UT?

Based on cost of living data, San Bernardino, CA is 17.3% more expensive than Salt Lake City, UT. This translates to spending an extra $1297 per month.

What salary do I need in San Bernardino, CA to live like I do in Salt Lake City, UT?

If you earn $150,000 in Salt Lake City, UT, you'd need approximately $165,569.566 in San Bernardino, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Salt Lake City, UT and San Bernardino, CA?

Housing in San Bernardino, CA is 38.6% more expensive than in Salt Lake City, UT. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,080/month in San Bernardino, CA compared to $1,400/month in Salt Lake City, UT.

How much can I save per month by moving from Salt Lake City, UT to San Bernardino, CA?

Living in San Bernardino, CA costs approximately $1297 more per month than Salt Lake City, UT, or $15570 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Salt Lake City, UT vs San Bernardino, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Salt Lake City, UT

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in San Bernardino, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.6K in San Bernardino, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Salt Lake City, UT area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,297

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Salt Lake City, UT

Population:210K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$518K

San Bernardino, CA

Population:222K

Cost Index:

117

(17% above avg)

Median Home:$448K

Salt Lake City, UT

The Beehive State

210K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Utah, this city has a population of 210K residents.

San Bernardino, CA

The Golden State

222K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 222K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Bernardino, CA

Category	Salt Lake City, UT	San Bernardino, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,531/mo	$3,508/mo	↑ $977more	38.6%
Transportation	$1,247/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $911more	73.1%
Groceries	$950/mo	$1,039/mo	↑ $89.29more	9.4%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$557/mo	↑ $85.60more	18.1%
Healthcare	$625/mo	$551/mo	↓ $73.63less	11.8%
Other	$1,670/mo	$1,724/mo	↑ $54.49more	3.3%

Housing

↑ 38.6%

Salt Lake City, UT

$2,531

San Bernardino, CA

$3,508

Difference

$977

Transportation

↑ 73.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,247

San Bernardino, CA

$2,158

Difference

$911

Groceries

↑ 9.4%

Salt Lake City, UT

$950

San Bernardino, CA

$1,039

Difference

$89.29

All Utilities

↑ 18.1%

Salt Lake City, UT

$472

San Bernardino, CA

$557

Difference

$85.60

Healthcare

↓ 11.8%

Salt Lake City, UT

$625

San Bernardino, CA

$551

Difference

$73.63

less

Other

↑ 3.3%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,670

San Bernardino, CA

$1,724

Difference

$54.49

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,008

To$1,600

↑ $592

1 Bed

From$1,168

To$1,670

↑ $502

2 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,080

↑ $680

3 Bed

From$1,872

To$2,780

↑ $908

Salt Lake City, UTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,820/mo

San Bernardino, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,670–$1,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,494

Monthly in Salt Lake City, UT

$9,539

Monthly in San Bernardino, CA

$2,045

Difference

Home Values

Salt Lake City

San Bernardino

$518K

Median Value

$448K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -2%

↑ +30.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +39%

$400K - $902K

Price Range

$374K - $530K

Homes in San Bernardino are 14% less expensive than Salt Lake City

Calculate payment - Salt Lake City Calculate payment - San Bernardino

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$279

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Salt Lake City, UT

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Utah State Tax

Effective: 4.9%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,809/month

$105.7K

San Bernardino, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Salt Lake City, UT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

San Bernardino, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.