Redwood City, CA vs San Bernardino, CA

The cost of living difference between Redwood City, CA and San Bernardino, CA is dramatic. San Bernardino is 150.2% cheaper than Redwood City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Redwood City has a cost index of 282 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 Redwood City is $2,959/month compared to $1,433/month in San Bernardino — a 107% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Bernardino is more affordable at $384,900 median vs $1,838,800.

Median household income in Redwood City is $150,840 compared to $63,988 in San Bernardino (+135.7%). The higher salaries in Redwood City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Redwood City spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, less than the 26.9% in San Bernardino.

Climate-wise, San Bernardino is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 58.7°F in Redwood City. Redwood City receives more rainfall at 19.6" per year compared to 9.4" in San Bernardino.