San Bernardino vs St. Paul: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in San Bernardino, California compare to St. Paul, Minnesota? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: St. Paul is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 31% higher in San Bernardino compared to St. Paul, while rent is 12% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 9.85% in MN.
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | St. Paul, MN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $347,100 | $264,900 | +31.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,319 | $1,174 | +12.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $61,323 | $69,919 | -12.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $22,865 | $39,726 | -42.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 9.8% | +35.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7.5% | +15.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 221,041 | 308,806 | -28.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Bernardino
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — St. Paul
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in San Bernardino costs $347,100 compared to $264,900 in St. Paul — a 31% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,319/mo in San Bernardino vs $1,174/mo in St. Paul.
- Income: Median household income is $61,323 in San Bernardino and $69,919 in St. Paul.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 9.85% in Minnesota.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).