Rialto, CA vs San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino is moderately more affordable than Rialto, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Rialto scores 125 compared to 113 for San Bernardino, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rialto can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Rialto is $1,641/month compared to $1,433/month in San Bernardino — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Bernardino is more affordable at $384,900 median vs $454,400.
Median household income in Rialto is $85,521 compared to $63,988 in San Bernardino (+33.7%). While Rialto is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Rialto spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, less than the 26.9% in San Bernardino.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 66.2°F). San Bernardino receives more rainfall at 9.4" per year compared to 9.4" in Rialto.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)