Home / Compare / Buena Park vs San Bernardino

Buena Park, CA vs San Bernardino, CA

168
Buena Park
California
VS
+48.8%
113
San Bernardino
California

The cost of living difference between Buena Park, CA and San Bernardino, CA is dramatic. San Bernardino is 48.8% cheaper than Buena Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Buena Park has a cost index of 168 while San Bernardino sits at 113, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Buena Park is $2,112/month compared to $1,433/month in San Bernardino — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Bernardino is more affordable at $384,900 median vs $771,900.

Median household income in Buena Park is $108,187 compared to $63,988 in San Bernardino (+69.1%). While Buena Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buena Park spend roughly 23.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.9% in San Bernardino.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Buena Park
168
San Bernardino
113
33% cheaper
Median Household Income
Buena Park
$108,187
41% higher
San Bernardino
$63,988

Housing

Median Rent
Buena Park
$2,112
San Bernardino
$1,433
32% cheaper
Median Home Value
Buena Park
$771,900
San Bernardino
$384,900
50% cheaper
Population
Buena Park
83,052
San Bernardino
221,774

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Buena Park $2,031
San Bernardino $2,020
1% cheaper
1 Bed
Buena Park $2,272
San Bernardino $2,148
5% cheaper
2 Bed
Buena Park $2,835
San Bernardino $2,675
6% cheaper
3 Bed
Buena Park $3,599
San Bernardino $3,520
2% cheaper
4 Bed
Buena Park $4,010
San Bernardino $4,178
4% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Buena Park $3.28
San Bernardino $3.13
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Buena Park $2.68
San Bernardino $2.55
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Buena Park $4.31
San Bernardino $4.11
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Buena Park $1.98
San Bernardino $1.89
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Buena Park $4.44
San Bernardino $4.22
US $4.14
Electricity
Buena Park $0.27
San Bernardino $0.31
US $0.19