Burbank, CA vs San Bernardino, CA

The cost of living difference between Burbank, CA and San Bernardino, CA is dramatic. San Bernardino is 67.8% cheaper than Burbank, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burbank has a cost index of 189 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 Burbank is $2,089/month compared to $1,433/month in San Bernardino — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Bernardino is more affordable at $384,900 median vs $1,041,100.

Median household income in Burbank is $95,816 compared to $63,988 in San Bernardino (+49.7%). The higher salaries in Burbank partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burbank spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.9% in San Bernardino.